It angered him to think that she should presume to imagine such a thing.

And yet he had felt a throb of emotion when she had thanked him--a reluctant, savage, resentful satisfaction which later changed to amusement.

If she believed he had thrashed Taggart in defense of her, let her continue to believe that.

It made no difference one way or another.

But he would take good care to see that she should have no occasion to thank him again.