"But you were crying, weren't you?
Why were you crying ?" His tone was almost aggressive.

He seemed to be angry, but whether with her, himself, or a third person, Avery could not determine.
She decided that the situation demanded firmness, and proceeded to treat it accordingly.
"I was very foolish to cry," she said.

"I have quite recovered now, so please forget it! It was very kind of you to take my part a little while ago--especially as you couldn't have been really in sympathy with me.
Thank you very much!" Again he made that gesture of imperious impatience.

"Oh, don't be so beastly formal! I can't stand it.

If it had been any other man threatening you, I believe I should have killed him!" He spoke with concentrated passion, but Avery was resolved not to be tragic.