"Why, yes--yes, of course--I--oh, Blix, sometimes I don't know!
You can't understand! How could a girl understand the power of it?
Other things, I don't say; but when it comes to gambling, there
seems to be another me that does precisely as he chooses, whether
I will or not. But I'm going to do my best. I haven't played
since, although there was plenty of chance. You see, this card
business is only a part of this club life, this city life--like
drinking and--other vices of men. If I didn't have to lead the
life, or if I didn't go with that crowd--Sargeant and the rest of
those men--it would be different; easier, maybe."

"But a man ought to be strong enough to be himself and master of
himself anywhere. Condy, IS there anything in the world better or
finer than a strong man?"

"Not unless it is a good woman, Blix."

"I suppose I look at it from a woman's point of view; but for me a
STRONG man--strong in everything--is the grandest thing in the
world. Women love strong men, Condy. They can forgive a strong
man almost anything."

Condy did not immediately answer, and in the interval an idea
occurred to Blix that at once hardened into a determination. But
she said nothing at the moment. The spell of the sunset was gone
and they had evidently reached the end of that subject of their
talk. Blix rose to light the gas. Will you promise me one thing,
Condy?" she said. "Don't if you don't want to. But will you
promise me that you will tell me whenever you do play?"