"Serious? I'll take you at your word. It'll be when I mean business, not pastime. Stretch the tape if you wish. There are some things it doesn't pay to play with. It'll be when I can give a woman the things, the material things, she wants and demands to make her happy and contented. The world is artificial, and material things are its reflection. When I can make the woman who chooses to marry me pass current anywhere, when I can be the means of giving her more pleasure, more opportunity, more of the good things of life than she has known before, then, when I know, not hope, this,--and not a minute before--Does that answer your question?" "Yes; that's clear enough, I'm sure--the implication, too, for that matter." The speaker yawned, unnecessarily it seemed, for his look was keen. "By the way, though, you haven't given me a satisfactory explanation for avoiding Elice. She's attached practically, not unattached; and I personally want you to know her. I think it would make you understand some things you don't understand now. You might even approve of--dangling. What do you say, will you go out with me some evening or will you have another engagement as usual? I shan't suggest it again, Darley." Standing, as he had risen a moment before, Darley Roberts looked down at the speaker steadily, the distinctive half-smile of tolerant analysis upon his lips. He laughed outright as though to clear the atmosphere. "Certainly I'll go, Armstrong, if you wish. It never occurred to me before that you took it that way. I had supposed that you and Elice were an example of two being a company and three making a crowd; also, to change the simile, that previously your invitations were the proverbial crumbs of charity. I'll be pleased to go any time you wish." "All right." Armstrong too had risen. "How about Sunday evening next week? Elice will be back Saturday." "A week from Sunday; I shall not forget." With the attitude of a big healthy animal, a bit sleepy now, Roberts stretched himself luxuriously, then started for his own room adjoining, calling back, "Good-night." Armstrong watched him in silence until the other's hand was on the knob. "Good-night," he echoed absently. CHAPTER II UNDERSTANDING "What is it, Elice? You're transparent as spring water. Out with it." "Out with what, Steve?" "The secret information of vital importance that you're holding back with an effort for a favorable moment to deliver. The present isn't particularly dramatic, I'll admit, but it's the best circumstances permit." "You're simply absurd, Steve; more so than usual." "No, merely ordinarily observant. I've known you some time, and the symptoms are infallible. When you get that absent, beyond-earth look in your eyes, and sit twisting around and around that mammoth diamond ring your uncle gave you on your sixteenth birthday--Come, I'm impatient from the toes up. Who is engaged now?" "No one, so far as I know." "Married, then; don't try to fool me."