"I shall never marry, Valentia."

Valentia stared at her in silence.

"What is your idea, darling? Why, you won't be eighteen till June. You
can't be sure you'll never want to marry!"

"Well, I don't care for Van Buren."

"I thought you liked him so much?"

"Well, he seems all right at first. But I simply couldn't stand him
always about."

"Couldn't you? Poor pet! But he mightn't _be_ always about."

"Well, I couldn't stand his marked attention. Valentia, I _hate_ marked
attention."

"Do you, really? Who'd have thought it?"

"Well--and he'd always be so considerate and so thoughtful and so
respectful!"

"That mightn't last when you were married," said Valentia consolingly.

"Perhaps he might not be so bad after we were once married.... But I
shouldn't like to risk it. And the engagement! Oh! I couldn't simply
_stand_ the engagement! Just think of the ring, and the sentiment, and
the fuss, and the letters! Oh, he'd enjoy it all so much! Oh, it would
make me simply sick to see how pleased he'd be!"

"I know that feeling," said Valentia sympathetically, nodding her head.

"Oh, and don't you see how he'd think he was engaged to a
well-brought-up, nice English girl who was a relation of Harry's, and
knew all the right people, and all that sort of thing? And he'd take a
big house--he's hinted this to me already--most likely in Park
Lane--anyhow, something just like a millionaire in a book. It's all so
dull, and cut-and-dried."

"Some of these cut-and-dried obvious things turn out quite jolly
afterwards. It's the uncomfortable, romantic things that are more often
failures. And you know, Daphne, you do like pretty things and clothes,
and going everywhere, and--not only that, he's really such a dear, and a
good sort, and so good-looking! And you'd put me into a very awkward
position with Harry if you refuse him. But, of course, darling, you must
do as you like."

"Well, then, Valentia, don't _let_ me refuse him. I don't want to. Don't
let it come to that. I'm sure I should loathe to hear him propose."

"Why?"

"It would make me sick."

"What can I tell Harry really as your reason for not being able to stand
Van?"

"I'm sure _I_ don't know!"

"He bores you," announced Valentia. "That's what's the matter. He
doesn't amuse you."

"It isn't that, it isn't that!" cried Daphne vehemently. "I don't _want_
to be amused. Do you think I like a man because he's clever, or funny,
and always making jokes? That