Pride and common sense both urged him to obey--but he could not.

He was like a bit of iron filing in the presence of a magnet.
"I--I suppose I wanted to find out how you were," he said at last.
"Was that so extraordinary ?" She ignored the question.

"I am well," she said.
"How is your father ?" he asked.
She looked at him levelly and did not answer.
A slow red crept up from Ambrose's neck.

"I asked you a civil question," he muttered.
"If you want a truthful answer," said Colina clearly, "I think you have a cheek to ask." "I didn't shoot him!" Ambrose burst out.
"What is the use of our bandying words ?" she asked with cold scorn.
"Nothing you can say to me or I to you can help matters now." "Good Lord, but women can be stony!" Ambrose cried involuntarily.
Colina took it as a compliment.

Her eye brightened with a kind of pride.