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 "And you call that gentlemanly behavior?" she demanded.

"Have I annoyed you at any time, Miss Burnett? "

"Do you think it is pleasant or agreeable to a girl to be shadowed by a total stranger, Mr. Forbes?"

"I don't think you have any right to use the word 'shadowed.' That suggests spying. I haven't spied on you. I haven't attempted to force my society on you—until now, and that was done thoughtlessly, on the moment's impulse, and I am sorry for it. I own up to having followed you. What else could I do? If I hadn't I'd have lost sight of you completely, Miss Burnett."

"Oh!"

"Besides," he went on, warming to his defence, "the fact that I am a total stranger isn't my fault. I don't want to be a stranger; that's why I followed. I guess it seems rather cheeky to you, Miss Burnett, but you stop and think about it you'll recog-