. Of course! How simple! I might
marry Breck!

"Well," I said languidly, gazing at my reflection in the mirror and
replacing a stray lock, "I suppose I'd rather be a gateway than a fifth
wheel."

The next time that Breck asked me to marry him, I didn't call him
absurd. I was older now. I must put away my dolls and air-castles. The
time had come, it appeared, for me to assume a woman's burdens, among
which often is an expedient marriage. I could no longer offer my
tender years as an excuse for side-stepping a big opportunity. I
musn't falter. The moment had arrived. I accepted Breck, and down
underneath a pile of stockings in the back of my lowest bureau drawer
I hid a little velvet-lined jewel-box, inside of which there lay an
enormous diamond solitaire--promise of my brilliant return to the
footlights.

CHAPTER VII

THE MILLIONS WIN

Some people cannot understand how a girl can marry a man she doesn't
love. She can do it more easily than she can stay at home, watch half
her friends marry, and feel herself slowly ossifying into something
worthless and unessential. It takes more courage to sit quietly, wait
for what may never come, and observe without misgiving the man you might
have had making some other woman's life happy and complete.

I couldn't go on living in guest-rooms forever. I was tired of
traveling, and sick to death of leading a life that meant nothing to
anybody but Dandy. As a debutante I had had a distinct mission--whether
worthy or unworthy isn't the point in question--worked for it hard,
schemed, devised, and succeeded. As Mrs. Breckenridge Sewall I could
again accomplish results. Many women marry simply because they cannot
endure an arid and purposeless future.

Some people think that a girl who marries for position is hard and
calculating. Why, I entered into my engagement in the exalted mood of
a martyr! I didn't feel hard--I felt self-sacrificing, like a girl in
royal circles whose marriage may distinguish herself and her people
to such an extent that the mere question of her own personal feelings
is of small importance. The more I considered marrying Breck the more
convinced I became that it was the best thing I could do. With my
position placed upon my brow, like a crown on a king, freed at last
from all the mean and besmirching tricks of acquiring social
distinction, I could grow and expand. When I looked ahead and saw
myself one day mistress of Grassmere, the London house, the