"Oh, nothing at all--only it explains."
"What does it explain?"
"Your attitude. It is quite natural for a daughter of Andrew Brisbane to
take sides against these people." He was not in a mood to be gallant,
and his glance quelled the angry girl.
With flushed face and quivering lips she sprang to her feet. "I will not
stay to be insulted," she said.
Curtis rose as she swept from the room, but checked his instinctive
words of apology and returned to his seat in silence.
Mrs. Wilcox relieved the painful pause by saying, "Captain Curtis, you
must not misjudge Elsie. She is a much better girl than she seems."
Lawson was troubled as he said, "She has lashed herself into a great
rage over this affair, but as a matter of fact she don't care a hang for
Sennett."
"I can't apologize for doing my duty," said Curtis, "even to Miss
Brisbane."
"Certainly not," replied Lawson, though he was deeply hurt by Elsie's
display of unreason.
As soon as he decently could, he followed her to her studio, where he
found her lying in sullen dejection on the big divan. "Bee Bee, you are
missing a good dinner," he began, gently.
She was instantly ready to fight. "I suppose you blame me for this
scene."
"I think you are hasty, and a little unreasonable. I know Curtis by
reputation, and he is above any petty malice."
"You are taking his side against me!"
"Not at all, Bee Bee, I am merely trying to show you--"
"He looked at me as no man ever dared to look before, and I hate him. He
thinks because he has a little authority he can lord it over us all
here. I shall write to father at once, telling him just how this little
prig of a lieutenant--"
"Captain," interrupted Lawson--"for distinguished service."
His smile made her furious. She flung herself back on the divan. "Go
away. I hate you, too."
Lawson, at the end of his patience, went out and closed the door behind
him. "What is the matter with the girl?" he said to Mrs. Wilcox. "I've
seen her in temper, but never like this. She has taken the most violent
antagonism to Curtis."
"She'd better let that young man alone," replied Mrs. Wilcox, sagely.
"He has a very firm mouth."
V