"Oh, you understand, Miss Innocence," a slight sneer in the utterance. "There was a man in your company when you arrived, dressed as a Yank. Moran told me so. You were breakfasting together--the table proves that."
"Well, what of it? I explained his presence to the judge. Am I obliged to account for all my actions to every one I meet?"
The officer, evidently acquainted with the lady's disposition, and aware that driving would never do, changed his tone, crossing the room toward her, and lowering his voice.
"No, not to every one, Billie, but surely you cannot deny I have some right to this information. Would you wish me to be riding the country at night with a strange woman?"
"If it became part of your duty--yes. I have no remembrance of ever interfering with your freedom, Captain Le Gaire."
I could hear the man's teeth click, as though in an effort to restrain an oath.
"By God, but you are irritating!" he burst forth impetuously. "One would think I were no more to you than a stranger. This is no light affair to be laughed away. Have you forgotten our engagement already?"
"That is scarcely probable. You remind me of it often enough. Don't crush my hand so."
Her provoking coldness was all that was needed to overcome the slight restraint the captain still exercised. Instantly his real nature came to the fore.
"Then I'll make him do the explaining," he threatened fiercely. "I know how to deal with men. Where is the fellow? In that room?"