That silenced her for the moment. He went on: “You and I are going to be as good friends as our separate lots permit. And you are going to marry in your own class--are going to do your duty. I’ll admit I did think it strange that a girl like you should be deliberately marrying for money. But at that time I thought you were poor. Now that I have seen what your life is, I don’t blame you. I can see how you simply couldn’t give up all this magnificence that has become necessity to you. It’d be like asking me to give up my painting.” She looked at him with a puzzled expression. “But I’m not marrying to keep it. My father’s much richer than Hank. Hank’s not so very rich.” Over his dark features slowly crept a look like the fall of a winter evening. “Oh,” said he coldly. “I thought-- No matter.” “What did you think?” “Naturally, I assumed--from your saying so much about your duty--I assumed your father had lost, or was about to lose, his money.” “Mercy, no!” exclaimed she, brightening hopefully. “I meant my family--my social--duty.” His expression was quizzical. “To be sure--to be sure. I never thought of that.” “You see, we’re newcomers among fashionable people, while the Vanderkiefs--they’re right at the top of the heap.” He nodded smilingly. “Of course--of course. A very sensible marriage.” “But I’m not going to marry him,” cried she. “I never intended to.” He forgot where he was for a moment in his astonishment. “Then why did you engage yourself to him?” “It isn’t that kind of engagement,” she explained sweetly. “I did it because _you_ acted so. But I was square with Peter. I warned him I didn’t love him and couldn’t. Our engagement is simply that he is having a chance to make me care for him if he can.” “You’ll be married within six months,” said Roger lightly; and he lifted a glass of champagne to his lips. “Not to him,” replied she. “If to anybody, to the man I love--the man who loves me.” Her words, so direct, and her tone, so simple, disconcerted him to such an extent that he choked upon the champagne. While he was still coughing Mrs. Richmond rose, and the men were left alone. Roger went with the first man who rejoined the women. He made straight for Mrs. Richmond, bade her good night and got himself out of the house before Beatrice, hemmed in by several people, could extricate herself and intercept him.