“Oh, very!” she said, somewhat sharply; “but I have seen it so much that I am tired of it. Let’s talk about something else.” “If you like.” “Don’t you think Hattie Hazle a pretty girl?” “I believe she is.” “You ‘believe so’! Why, didn’t you notice?” “Not in particular.” “Well, you are a queer fellow!” “Am I?” “Decidedly. Now, what sort of a girl do you admire most?” “I—I’m sure I—I don’t know,” stammered Jack. “There must be some girl somewhere who is your ideal. Think of her. Describe her.” The face of the Virginian grew crimson, and he betrayed himself by his confusion. “Really, Miss Mitshef,” he said, “I think the others are wondering where we are. I see them looking back.” “It’s Wallace and Woodock who are looking back. Woodock annoys me and Wallace bothers Hattie. They will not let us alone.” Then Jack suddenly straightened up, grimly saying: “If they dare to annoy you during this ride, Miss Mitshef, they shall answer to me! A fellow who forces his attentions on a lady is no gentleman, and he deserves to be soundly whipped. If you need my assistance, I shall be ready to aid you in any manner possible.” “Thank you, Mr. Diamond,” she said, with sincere gratitude. “I shall not forget your kindness.” And then, strange to say, she was ready to ride forward and overtake the others. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER IV DIAMOND’S OPINION. “Well,” said Hattie, eagerly, “what success?” “Mr. Diamond,” said Mabel, with wonderful seriousness for her, “is a perfect gentleman and a splendid fellow. I am sure now that he is in love, and he will be true to the fortunate girl. There are not many fellows like him, and the girl who finds one is lucky.” “Why, Mabel!” exclaimed the dark-haired girl, “I believe you are more than half in love with him yourself!” Then Mabel was confused. “Perhaps I am,” she finally said, with a defiant toss of her head. “Even if I am, I wouldn’t try to cut the other girl out. I have satisfied myself that he is constant, and that was what I was trying to do. Had he flirted with me, I was ready to give him a calling down.” “Do you hear, Hodge?” laughed Merriwell. “Beware how you flirt with Belfast girls. They are liable to be fooling you all the time.” “Why, I’ll not dare look at one of them after this,” said Bart, with an air of absolute seriousness. “You must not be frightened so easily,” smiled Mabel. “Not every fellow is a Diamond.” “That is complimentary for us,” said Frank, ruefully. “Very!” nodded Bart. “It makes me feel jolly!” “It makes me feel jollied,” declared Merry. “Oh, you are a flirt by nature,” asserted Hattie, speaking to Frank. “You can’t help it.” “This is growing jollier and jollier!” murmured Merriwell. “It is a very warm evening.”