It was the magnetism of his beauty and strength that had made pretty Rosalind Thornton willing to hurt the honest heart of big Dick Starbright—had made her willing to turn from him and accept the pleasant company of this man, who was his confessed and deadly enemy.
Rosalind’s affections were warm and womanly, but they were not of an enduring type. She was, besides, of a petulant, jealous disposition. She had at first accepted Dade’s attentions in the thought that this would bring Dick Starbright to her feet as a willing and devoted subject. Then she had suddenly found herself captivated by Dade’s good looks and winning smile, and wavered in her affection for Starbright, telling herself that, if Dick did not care to come back, Morgan would be as acceptable, perhaps more so.
He again moved toward her. Once more she put out a detaining hand.
“Yes, I think you are; but do not call me Rose, please!”
He laid his hand on his heart in mock gallantry.
“Miss Thornton, any fellow is a fool who doesn’t fall in love with you!”
The laughing smile which he so admired and which he hoped to coax back to her eyes did not make its reappearance.
“You didn’t care to keep your word this afternoon!”
Her lips again trembled as she thought of it—thought of the pride and pleasure with which she had gowned herself—the triumphant pride, which had made her desire to sweep in Dade’s carriage in grand style past her former lover, Dick Starbright, whom she was still anxious to draw after her, as a conquering captor draws a captive.
Dade laughed and dropped the lids over his eyes.
“Well, to tell the truth, I came up here to-night principally to say that I don’t care to go out driving that way any more.”
“You’re an awfully pretty girl, Miss Thornton——”
She put out her hand again, but he went on.
“I don’t need to tell you that, for you know it. But there’s no use of keeping this thing up, you see. You might begin to think that I—I care for you. To be frank, I don’t. I suppose you’ll say that’s brutal.”
She dropped into a seat on the stairs. Dade looked at her a moment, still handsome and smiling.
“I hope you aren’t crying,” he said, crossing to her side. “When you seem so distressed, you know, it makes me—makes me almost lo—care for you!”