But he treated the challenge with supreme disdain and stared straight ahead, obeying his male instinct, which taught him that the woman, with all the advantages on her side, would nevertheless let him win if he held on.

At last she came caressingly to his shoulder again, and said: "Why didnt you tell me about her yourself ?" "Damn it all," he exclaimed, violently, "there is nothing to tell! I am not engaged to her: on my oath I am not.

My people at home talk about a match between us as if it were a settled thing, though they know I dont care for her.

But if you want to have the truth, I cant afford to say that I wont marry her, because I am too hard up to quarrel with the governor, who has set his heart on it.

You see, the way I am circumstanced----" "Oh, bother your circumstances! Look here, Bob, I dont want you to introduce me to your swell relations; it is not worth _my_ while to waste time on people who cant earn their own living.