them by
experience. So, when you ask her to marry you, she will accept."

"What a low opinion you have of her!" exclaimed Davy. "What a low view
you take of life!"--most inconsistent of him, since he was himself more
than half convinced that Jane's observations were not far from the
truth.

"Women are sensible," said Jane tranquilly. "They appreciate that
they've got to get a man to support them. Don't forget, my dear Davy,
that marriage is a woman's career."

"You lived abroad too long," said Hull bitterly.

"I've lived at home and abroad long enough and intelligently enough not
to think stupid hypocrisies, even if I do sometimes imitate other
people and SAY them."

"I am sure that Selma Gordon would no more think of marrying me for any
other reason but love--would no more think of it than--than YOU would!"

"No more," was Jane's unruffled reply. "But just as much. I didn't
absolutely refuse you, when you asked me the other day, partly because
I saw no other way of stopping your tiresome talk--and your
unattractive way of trying to lay hands on me. I DETEST being handled."

Davy was looking so uncomfortable that he attracted the attention of
the people they were passing in wide, shady Lincoln Avenue.

"But my principal reason," continued Jane, mercilessly amiable and
candid, "was that I didn't know but that you might prove to be about
the best I could get, as a means to realizing my ambition." She looked
laughingly at the unhappy young man. "You didn't think I was in love
with you, did you, Davy dear?" Then, while the confusion following this
blow was at its height, she added: "You'll remember one of your chief
arguments for my accepting you was ambition. You didn't think it low
then--did you?"

Hull was one of the dry-skinned people. But if he had been sweating
profusely he would have looked and would have been less wretched than
burning up in the smothered heat of his misery.

They were nearing Martha's gates. Jane said: "Yes, Davy, you've got a
good chance. And as soon as she gets used to our way of living, she'll
make you a good wife." She laughed gayly.

"She'll not be quite so pretty when she settles down and takes on
flesh. I wonder how she'll look in fine clothes and jewels."

She measured Hull's stature with a critical eye. "She's only about
half as tall as you. How funny you'll look together!" With sudden
soberness and sweetness, "But, seriously, David, I'm proud of your
cour