"You have forgotten that you have been talking to a woman." "I don't deny it," he said.

"It's the finest compliment I could pay you.

But--after ?" "And that to a woman your account of your hero-friend is--a challenge." He nodded and paused, with his cigar half-way to his lips.
"I'm greatly tempted to accept it, do you know!" she said.
He laughed.
"Don't: you'll be vanquished.

Is that too candid, too--brutal ?" he said.
"So brutal that I _will_ accept it," she said.

"Is that ring of yours a favorite ?" "I've had it ever since I can remember.