"And you, Mr. Blood?" she said softly. "I? I'm loyal!" "But not monogamous." "Sassoon only wants to be stung out of a lethargy. Women--I need them to help me. I have the right! That's why I want you!" "I'm not the kind you want," she said, drawing back, for his precipitation gave her the feeling of being crowded into a corner. "You would if I could make you love me!" "Indeed! Are you considering--matrimony?" "Never!" he said angrily. "Marriage is a reciprocal tyranny. I don't want to own a woman, or have her own me! What, you can have a career, and you want to marry?" She defended herself, laughing, assuring him that was not the case. "You have your career; I have mine. I'll educate you! Ten thousand men will give you money--I'll give you brains! My little girl, I wonder if you know what opportunity is dangling on your little finger-tips. Break your engagement!" "I can't!" "Interested?" "Um! Very curious. Certain sides are amusing!" Then she turned, assuming an air of dignity, repeating her defensive formula: "Mr. Blood, I am not like other girls. I play fair. I give one warning--and one only. Then take the consequences." "What's your warning?" he said abruptly, with a bullish stare. "You will lose your time," she said calmly. "You think you know me. You may, and you may not. I won't give you the slightest hint, but I tell you frankly now, and only once, you will lose your time!" "But," he said contemptuously, "you don't know what a real man is! There's nothing real in your life. I'm going to give you realities!" "How charming!" she said, shrugging her shoulders. "And in the same breath you let me know it won't last. Thanks; I don't enjoy being an episode!" "That depends on you." "Frank!" "Don't you know," he said suddenly, coming toward her, "what is true about a man like myself?--yes, about all men? They say we're naturally polygamous. Rats! nothing of the sort! We want to be true to one woman only. Look here. The real tragedy in life is that a man can't find in one woman all he wants,--all the time!" At this moment, much to Doré's relief, Ida Summers and her companion returned. As they went out to the elevator, Blood made another opportunity for a final word: "I haven't said half that I wanted to. When can I get a chance really to talk with you?" A malicious suggestion, prompted by some devil of intrigue within her, suddenly rose in her imagination. "Come and get me after luncheon." "I thought you said you were lunching with Sassoon," he said suspiciously. "I am. What of it?--or don't you dare?" He looked at her fixedly, divining her reason. "I warned you to beware of me," she said demurely. "I love scenes--dramatic temperament, you know. Think how furious Sassoon will be! Well?" "What time?" he said, with a snap of his jaws. "Oh, half past two." "I'll come!" CHAPTER XII