Whether he did or did not believe Champney's story, whether it was only the jealous exaggeration of a rival, or Miss Sally was actually deceiving them both, his position had become intolerable.
"I must remind you, Champney," he said, with freezing deliberation, "that Miss Miranda Dows and her niece now represent the Drummond Company equally with myself, and that you cannot expect me to listen to any reflections upon the way they choose to administer their part in its affairs, either now, or to come.

Still less do I care to discuss the idle gossip which can affect only the PRIVATE interests of these ladies, with which neither you nor I have any right to interfere." But the naivete of the young Englishman was as invincible as Miss Sally's own, and as fatal to Courtland's attitude.

"Of course I haven't any RIGHT, you know," he said, calmly ignoring the severe preamble of his companion's speech, "but I say! hang it all! even if a fellow has no chance HIMSELF, he don't like to see a girl throw herself and her property away on a man like that." "One moment, Champney," said Courtland, under the infection of his guest's simplicity, abandoning his former superior attitude.

"You say you have no chance.

Do you want me to understand that you are regularly a suitor of Miss Dows ?" "Y-e-e-s," said the young fellow, but with the hesitation of conscientiousness rather than evasion.