o woman of your age and beauty can
defy public opinion alone. The world--and scandal spreads like a plague;
San Francisco is only forty miles from Rosewater--the world can hurt you
in a thousand ways, ruin your life. I really am only too willing to
protect you, and I hope that you will marry me. I am sure we should get
along--after a bit."

"That was better. But I will not be driven into matrimony by gossip, or
even scandal. That is no part of my scheme of life. And I know Rosewater
better than you do. Mrs. Leslie, Anabel, Mrs. Colton, many of the most
powerful, would never believe a word against me."

"Not at first. But malicious tongues will wear the gloss from the
best-befriended reputation in time. The kindest natures are
conventional; and susceptible to all that take, or seem to take, a place
in the ranks of established facts."

"I won't do it," said Isabel, stubbornly; and as she turned her profile
to him he almost swore aloud. "I shall conquer, or prove the whole
modern game of woman a sham, a fool's paradise. I told you that I had
set myself to drag strength out of the unknown forces. Well, I propose
to use it now. And in your behalf as much as mine."

"I can take care of myself.... I even think I could face the prospect of
becoming your husband with a reasonable amount of equanimity." She was
looking straight at him again, her face deeply flushed, her eyes
shining. "It never occurred to me before, but I believe that if you
would permit yourself to develop, you might become the most fascinating
woman in the world. And if you did, I swear that you should be happy."

"I am happy, and in my own way. I get something out of every moment. Do
you think I am going to run the risk of losing all that for anything so
dubious as this old game of sex?"

"Very good game if it is played properly. I have a mind to teach you."

"Well, you will not!"

"I think I shall. It is either marry you or leave California."

"That is a threat unworthy of you."

"No threat at all. If you will not permit me to protect you in one way I
must in another. I leave and throw everything over with great eclat. You
have discarded me and I cannot stand the proximity."

"They might merely think that you were running away from me."

"I shall take good care they think what I choose. Women are more
romantic and sentimental than malignant, the bulk. All they want is a
starter."

"But you need not leave California. You can move to San Francisc