"Perhaps he is an adventurer," she replied. "I'm sure I don't know. Why
should one bother to find out about a passing acquaintance? It is enough to
know that he is amusing."
"I'm not so sure of that. He might make off with the jewels when you had
your back turned."
As soon as she had made her jesting denial of her real lover Marian was
ashamed of herself. And Danvers' remark, though a jest, cut her. "What I
said about a passing acquaintance was not just or true," she said
impulsively and too warmly. "Mr. Howard is not an adventurer. I admire and
like him very much indeed. I'm proud of his friendship."
Danvers shrugged his shoulders and looked at her suspiciously.
"You saw a good deal of this--this friend of yours?" he demanded, his mouth
straightening into a dictatorial line.
At this Marian grew haughty and her eyes flashed: "Why do you ask?" she
inquired, her tone dangerously calm.
"Because I have the right to know." He pointed to the diamond on her third
finger.
"Oh--that is soon settled." Marian drew off the ring and held it out to
him. "Really, Teddy, I think you ought to have waited a little longer
before insisting so fiercely on your rights."
"Don't be absurd, Marian." Danvers did not take the ring but fixed his eyes
upon her face and changed his tone to friendly remonstrance.
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