e?"

"What other reason could she have had?" demanded Bunny sternly.

Toby was laughing, but her laughter had a desperate sound. "How green you
are! Must I really tell you that?"

"Yes. Go on! Tell me!" His voice was hard. Hard also was the grip of his
hands. He knew that in the moment he released her she would turn and flee
like a fleeing hare.

There was fear in the blue eyes that looked up to his, but they held a
glare of defiance as well. Her small white teeth showed clenched between
her laughing lips.

"Go on! Tell me!" he reiterated. "You shan't go--I swear--until you tell
me."

"Think I'm--think I'm afraid of you?" challenged Toby, with boyish
bravado.

"I think you'll answer me," he said, and abruptly his tone fell level,
dead level. He looked her straight in the eyes without anger, without
mercy. "And you'll answer me now, too. What other reason could Miss
Melrose have for making that suggestion if it was not intended for your
benefit? Now answer me!"

His face was pale, but he was master of himself. Perhaps he had learned
from Jake that fundamental lesson that those who would control others
must first control themselves. He still held her before him, but there
was no violence in his hold. Neither was there any tenderness. It was
rather of a judicial nature.

And oddly at that moment a sudden gleam of appreciation shot up in Toby's
eyes. She stood up very straight and faced him unflinching.

"I don't mind answering you," she said. "Why should I? Someone will
tell you sooner or later if I don't. She said that because she knew--and
she wanted you to know--that I am not the sort of girl that men want
to--marry."

She was quite white as she spoke the words, but she maintained her tense
erectness. Her eyes never stirred from his.

Bunny stood motionless, staring at her. He looked as if he had been
struck a blinding blow.

"What--on earth--do you mean?" he asked slowly at last.

The tension went out of Toby. She broke into her funny little laugh. "Oh,
I won't tell you any more! I won't! She thinks I'm too attractive, that's
all. I can't imagine why; can you? You never found me so, did you,
Bunny?"

The old provocative sweetness flashed back into her face. She went within
the circle of his arms with a quick nestling movement as of a small
animal that takes refuge after strenuous flight. She was still panting a
little as she leaned against him.

And Bunny relaxed, conscious of a vast relief that o