"Naturally."

"I dare say if I loved a man I'd want him at any price, but I--
hope I'm not going to be dragged into this matter."

"My dear, New York has blackmailing newspapers, just as it has
blackmailing men. They live off people like Merkle. You'd be
foolish to let him escape from this just to save a few dollars,
for the notoriety will injure you, where it benefits me. It's not
often that girls in our business know men like those two. You have
a family; they can make Merkle do the right thing by you."

"I don't want him to do anything," protested Lorelei. "There's
nothing to do."

"You could make him marry you."

Lorelei winced. "Nonsense! I don't care for him. He's an old man.
There's no reason why he should."

"He could be made to pay, at least, and you'll be sorry if you
don't get something out of him. Just wait and see what a
difference the story makes with your other men friends."

During the ensuing performance Lorelei pondered her friend's
disquieting prophecy; yet she could see no reason for grave
apprehension. Publicity of the kind threatened would, of course,
be disagreeable; but how it could seriously affect her was not
apparent.