“He can behave and keep his temper, anyway.”
“Then it's the only thing he can keep. He can't keep his character or his credit or his honor, and you should not encourage him.”
Kate's under lip began to show the inner half. “Who says I encourage him?”
“I do.”
“What right have you?”
“Haven't I seen you with my own eyes?”
Kate grew defiant. “Well, and what if you have?”
“Then you are a jade and a coquette.”
The word hissed out like steam from a kettle. Kate saw it coming and took it full in the face. She felt an impulse to scream with laughter, so she seized her opportunity and cried.
Philip's temper began to ebb. “That man would be a poor bargain, Kate, if he were twenty times the heir of Ballawhaine. Can't you gather from his conversation what his life and companions are? Of course it's nothing to me, Kate——”