but he's an immensely able and clever man.
How many brilliant social lights would be willing to shine at the
head of his table! What are you going to do about The Author,
Sophy?"

"What are _you_ going to do about the lady you are really in love
with?" I countered.

"I'm waiting to find out," said he, coolly. "Answer my question,
please: Do you imagine you love him, Sophy?"

"It is not unpleasant to me that he should wish me to do so," I
admitted.

"I see. You are trying to persuade yourself that you should accept
him."

"I am not growing younger," I said, with an effort. "Remember, too,
that Alicia will be leaving me presently, and I shall then be
utterly alone. That is not a pleasing prospect--not to a woman."

"Nor to a man, either, but better that than a loveless marriage." He
reflected for a moment. "If you are sure you care for the man, tell
him truthfully every incident of last night. Otherwise, I do not
feel like sharing my affairs with him; I do not want to drag
Jessamine Hynds out of her grave to gratify his curiosity. For he
has the curiosity of a cat, along with the obstinacy of a mule."

I smiled, wanly. "I gather that I'm not to tell him anything. What
further?" I wanted to know, not without irony.

"This, then: that you keep on being engaged to me."

I looked at him incredulously.

"For the time being, Sophy, submit to my tentative claim. If you
decide to let your--ah--common sense induce you to make what must be
called a brilliant marriage, tell me, and I will go at once. In the
meantime, Sophy, I am your friend, to whom your happiness is as dear
as his own. Will you believe that?"

It was not in me to doubt him. "Yes," I said. "And if--the lady you
told me about--you understand--you will tell me, too, will you not?
I should like to know, for your happiness is as much to me as mine
could possibly be to you."

"That's the most promising thing you've said yet," he said. "All
right, Sophy: the minute I find out she cares more for me than she
does for anybody else, I shall certainly let you know. In the
meanwhile, don't let being engaged bear too heavily on your spirits.
_I_ find it very pleasant and exhilarating!"

"I don't think you ought to talk like that," I demurred.

"I can't help it: I never was engaged before, and it goes to my
tongue."

"I never was, either. But it doesn't go to _mine_," I reminded him,
with dignity.

"Sophy, you are the only woman in the world who can reproac