I'm sort of hurt inside.

But, hell! There's one thing sure, a love affair might have hindered me, made me soft.

I'm glad it's over." He said no more, but his big hand pressing on my knee told me of his sympathy, another indication that there was nothing wanting in this Ranger.
"The other thing concerns you," I went on, somehow reluctant now to tell this.

"You remember how I heard Wright making you out vile to Miss Sampson?
Swore you'd never come back?
Well, after he had gone, when Sally said he'd meant you'd be killed, Miss Sampson felt bad about it.
She said she ought to be glad if someone killed you, but she couldn't be.

She called you a bloody ruffian, yet she didn't want you shot.
"She said some things about the difference between your hideous character and your splendid stature.