Now, it is disconcerting to a man to have a woman leap at his throat and ask him whether he is true and honourable, especially when his attitude towards her approaches the Machiavellian.
I could only murmur modestly that I hoped I could claim these qualifications.
"And you don't think me a dreadful woman ?" "So far from it, Madame Brandt," I replied, "that I think you a remarkable one." "I wonder if I am," she said, sinking back among her cushions.

"I should like to be for Dale's sake.

I suppose you know I care a great deal for Dale ?" "I have taken the liberty of guessing it," said I."And since you have done me the honour of taking me so far into your confidence," I added, playing what I considered to be my master-card, "may I venture to ask whether you have contemplated"-- I paused--"marriage ?" Her brow grew dark, as she looked involuntarily at her bare left hand.
"I have got a husband already," she replied.
As I expected.

Ladies like Lola Brandt always have husbands unfit for publication; and as the latter seem to make it a point of honour never to die, widowed Lolas are as rare as blackberries in spring.
"Forgive my rudeness," I said, "but you wear no wedding ring." "I threw it into the sea." "Ah!" said I.
"Do you want to hear about him ?" she asked suddenly.

"If we are to be friends, perhaps you had better know.