The contrast was too grotesque: she could scarcely suppress the smile it provoked.

She decided that directness would be best.
"If you mean me, Mr.Rosedale, I am very grateful--very much flattered; but I don't know what I have ever done to make you think--" "Oh, if you mean you're not dead in love with me, I've got sense enough left to see that.

And I ain't talking to you as if you were--I presume I know the kind of talk that's expected under those circumstances.

I'm confoundedly gone on you--that's about the size of it--and I'm just giving you a plain business statement of the consequences.

You're not very fond of me--YET--but you're fond of luxury, and style, and amusement, and of not having to worry about cash.