she concluded reminiscently. "I'm not beautiful enough."

With what abominable clearness she understood the game: the
marriage-market; the buyer and the price.

"I--didn't suppose you were like that," he muttered, after what
seemed a long silence.

She seemed faintly surprised.

"Of course you don't know me," she said quickly. "Does any man know
any woman, I wonder?"

"They think they do," he stated doggedly; "and that amounts to the
same thing."

His thoughts reverted for an uncomfortable instant to Wesley Elliot
and Fanny. It was only too easy to see through Fanny.

"Most of them are simple souls, and thank heaven for it!"

His tone was fervently censorious.

She smiled understandingly.

"Perhaps I ought to tell you further that a rich man--not a
millionaire; but rich enough--actually did ask me to marry him, and I
refused."

"H'mph!"