"He is outwardly assuming--and where Collaton is certain to have it repeated to him--that Collaton was merely unfortunate; but I believe he is only waiting for a proof--and then I imagine he will drop on Collaton and whoever is helping him like a ton of pig-iron." "I hope he does!" declared Constance with such sudden vindictiveness that Loring laughed.
"You seem to have acquired a violent partisanship," he charged her with a curious smile.
"Yes, I have," she admitted with a slight flush.

"I like fair play.

I believe I have a very even temper, but it angers me to see any one so open and manly and generous as Mr.Gamble made a victim of mean trickery." "He's a handsome boy too," commented Loring, grinning.
"Well, suppose he is," she petulantly laughed.
"He has a right to be," granted Loring, looking at her with renewed admiration.

With a slight flush of confusion upon her she was even more charming than he had ever thought her before.

"If I had so tantalizingly pretty a girl so interested in my fortunes I wouldn't care whether they perfected aeroplanes or not," he ventured with the freedom of an old friend.
"You may come down now, thank you," she sweetly informed him.