"It's not much--it really is nothing. I mean, it means nothing to me to do it! It's this: I am away so much; my car is here--nothing to do; you need a ride,--good air every afternoon,--and, besides, I don't like to think of you going around alone in taxi-cabs or street-cars, unprotected. The car is standing idle; it's bad for the chauffeur. Won't you let me put it at your disposal for the winter--for a month, anyway?" "Oh, but, Mr. Peavey, I couldn't! How could I?" "You don't think it would be proper?" he said in alarm. "No, no, not that!" she said, and a strange thought was at the back of her head. "For the opera, yes! And occasionally in the afternoon. But the rest--it is too much; too much! I couldn't accept it!" He was immensely relieved that this was the only objection. "I should feel you were protected," he said earnestly. "That worries me. Such horrible things happen!" "But I am a professional! I must take care of myself!" said Doré, with a sudden assumption of seriousness. She began to talk of her career, of her independence, her ambitions--rapidly, feeling that there were sunken perils in the course of his conversation. "Really, it isn't difficult. American men are chivalrous; they always protect a young girl--really, I've been surprised! And then, I don't think it's quite right that I should have advantages other girls haven't. If I'm going on the stage, I should take everything as it comes. Besides, it teaches me what life is, doesn't it? Then, it's such fun being independent, and making yourself respected! By the way, I feel so much stronger now, I shouldn't wonder if I could be on the stage again soon. Blainey wants to talk to me--I may see him this afternoon. He's such a good kind fellow, just like you, Mr. Peavey! Really, all men seem to try and protect me!" But the real reason she did not wholly accept his offer she did not tell him. "Are you sure you want a career?" he said abruptly. "Do I?... I don't know!" she said, eating hungrily. "But you see the trouble is, I've got to find out! Oh, I don't want anything small! No holding up a horse in the back row of an extravaganza, as Ida says!" "You won't like the life!..." "Won't I? Perhaps not!... I know some women have a bad time! But every one looks after me!..." She shifted the conversation to his interests, and kept it there, with one eye on the clock. It was difficult choosing her questions, for all would not do. For instance, she wished to ask him why he did not stop working and enjoy his money; but that would have opened up a direct and personal reply. "Why do you work so hard?" she said, instead. "I've got to do something!" he answered; "and, besides, I'm on the point of something big--if I carry it through. In another year I'll be a rich man--quite a rich man!"