Tell me something I have NOT done--something I cannot do." "You cannot marry a woman like Madame de Cintre for the asking." "I believe you mean," said Newman slowly, "that I am not good enough." "Brutally speaking--yes!" Bellegarde had hesitated a moment, and while he hesitated Newman's attentive glance had grown somewhat eager.

In answer to these last words he for a moment said nothing.

He simply blushed a little.

Then he raised his eyes to the ceiling and stood looking at one of the rosy cherubs that was painted upon it.

"Of course I don't expect to marry any woman for the asking," he said at last; "I expect first to make myself acceptable to her.