I've never cared about anybody else.'" Belden had been thinking that the engagement between Ross and Adelaide was dissolved by mutual consent.

A glance at Ross and he changed his mind; for, Ross was so amazed at Adelaide's thus challenging him--it could be nothing more than an audacious challenge--that he showed it.

"I beg your pardon, old man," Belden said impulsively.

"I didn't appreciate that I was making a prying brute of myself." Ross decided that a "gentleman" would be silent under the suspicion of having been jilted, and that therefore _he_ must be silent--on that subject.

"Not at all," said he.