Roderick gave a liberal shrug of his shoulders and an irresponsible toss of his head.

"Call it what you please! I am past caring for names." Rowland had not only been illogical, he had also been slightly disingenuous.

He did not believe that his companion was in love; he had argued the false to learn the true.

The true was that Roderick was again, in some degree, under a charm, and that he found a healing virtue in Mary's presence, indisposed though he was to admit it.

He had said, shortly before, that her voice was sweet to his ear; and this was a promising beginning.