"One or two are in the neighbourhood of my feet," she remarked.
"Aye, and too near to please me," said I.
"Boyd--for example," I replied, giving her a hearty scowl.
"Oh!" she drawled airily. "He is not yet near enough my ankles to please me."
"You little fool," said I between my teeth, "do you think you can play alley-taw and cat's-cradle with a man like that?"
"A man like that," she repeated. "And pray, dear friend, what manner of man may be 'a man like that?'"
"One who can over-match you at your own silly sport--and carry the game to its sinister finish! I warn you, have a care of yourself, Lanette. Sir John is a tyro to this man."
She said hotly: "If I should say to him what you have but now said to me, he would have you out for your impertinence!"
"If he continues to conduct as he has begun," said I, "the chances are that I may have him out for his effrontery."
"What! Who gave you the privilege of interfering in my affairs, you silly ninny?"
"So that you display ordinary prudence, I have no desire to interfere," I retorted angrily.
"And if I do not! If I am imprudent! If I choose to be audacious, reckless, shameless! Is it your affair?"
"You are both silly and insulting; do you know it?"
Flushed, breathing rapidly, we sat facing each other; and I could have shaken the little vixen, so furious was I at myself as well as at her.
"Very well," said I, "continue to play with hell-fire if you like. I'm done with you and with him, too."
"And I with you," she said between her teeth. "And if you were not the honest-meaning marplot that you are, Mr. Boyd should teach you a lesson!"
"I'll teach him one now," said I, springing to my feet and gone quite blind with rage so that I was obliged to stand still a moment before I could discover Boyd where he stood by the open door, trying to converse with Mrs. Lansing, but watching us both with unfeigned amazement.
Lana's voice arrested me, and I halted and turned, striving to remember decency and that I was conducting like a very boor. This was neither the time nor place to force a quarrel on any man.... And Lana was right. I had no earthly warrant to interfere if she gave me none; perhaps no spiritual warrant either.
Still shaken and confused by the sudden fury which had invaded me, and now sullenly mortified by my own violence and bad manners, I stood with one hand resting on the banisters, forcing myself to look at Lana and take the punishment that her scornful eyes were dealing me.