"Did Mrs.Rook say something of my father which I mustn't hear ?" "No, no! nothing of the sort!" "You seem to be confused." Her innocent indifference tried his patience sorely.

His memory went back to the past time--recalled the ill-placed passion of his youth, and the cruel injury inflicted on him--his pride was roused.

Was he making himself ridiculous?
The vehement throbbing of his heart almost suffocated him.

And there she sat, wondering at his odd behavior.

"Even this girl is as cold-blooded as the rest of her sex!" That angry thought gave him back his self-control.