Despite her low opinion of Gresham she had not expected this crudity.
"You may as well dismiss that hope," he roughly continued--"Mr.Gamble has no million to give you!" Mr.Gamble at that moment bulged through the portieres, with Polly Parsons hanging to his coat tails.

He laid an extremely heavy hand on Gresham's shoulder and turned him round.
"I want to see you outside!" declared Johnny, husky with rage.
Polly, at the risk of life and limb, placed her ample weight between them.

"Don't, Johnny!" she implored.

"Don't! Constance doesn't want any door-step drama, with all the neighbors for audience.

Wait till you get him down an alley and then give him an extra one for me!" Gresham had retired behind a chair.
"This is no place for a personal encounter," he urged.
Johnny turned to Constance, pitifully afraid that he should be denied his rights.
"Can't I put him out ?" he begged.
Constance had been panic-stricken, but on this she smiled easily.
"Only gently, Johnny," she granted.
"Remember there are ladies present," urged Polly.
"I won't hurt Paul," promised Johnny, responding to her smile with a suddenly relieved grin, and, taking Gresham daintily by the coat sleeve with his thumb and forefinger, he led the unresisting cousin of Lord Yawpingham to the front door.