them." He added, "And that's her great charm for me."

Jane nodded sympathetically. Her own case exactly. After a brief
hesitation she suggested:

"Perhaps Selma's in love with--some one else." The pause before the
vague "some one else" was almost unnoticeable.

"With Victor Dorn, you mean?" said Davy. "I asked her about that. No,
she's not in love with him."

"As if she'd tell you!"

Davy looked at her a little scornfully. "Don't insinuate," he said.
"You know she would. There's nothing of the ordinary tricky, evasive,
faking woman about her. And although she's got plenty of excuse for
being conceited, she isn't a bit so. She isn't always thinking about
herself, like the girls of our class."

"I don't in the least wonder at your being in love with her, Davy,"
said Jane sweetly. "Didn't I tell you I admired your taste--and your
courage?"

"You're sneering at me," said Davy. "All the same, it did take
courage--for I'm a snob at bottom--like you--like all of us who've been
brought up so foolishly--so rottenly. But I'm proud that I had the
courage. I've had a better opinion of myself ever since. And if you
have any unspoiled womanhood in you, you agree with me."

"I do agree with you," said Jane softly. She reached out and laid her
hand on his arm for an instant. "That's honest, Davy."

He gave her a grateful look. "I know it," said he. "The reason I
confide things to you is because I know you're a real woman at bottom,
Jane--the only real person I've ever happened across in our class."

"It took more courage for you to do that sort of thing than it would
for a woman," said Jane. "It's more natural, easier for a woman to
stake everything in love. If she hasn't the man she wants she hasn't
anything, while a man's wife can be a mere detail in his life. He can
forget he's married, most of the time."

"That isn't the way I intend to be married," said Davy. "I want a wife
who'll be half, full half, of the whole. And I'll get her."

"You mean you haven't given up?"

"Why should I? She doesn't love another man. So, there's hope. Don't
you think so?"

Jane was silent. She hastily debated whether it would be wiser to say
yes or to say no.

"Don't you think so?" repeated he.

"How can I tell?" replied Jane, diplomatically. "I'd have to see her
with you--see how she feels toward you."

"I think she likes me," said Davy, "likes me a good deal."

Jane kept her smile from the surface.