But"-- sorrowfully-- "nobody's asked me." She says it so innocently, so sweetly, that Rylton's heart grows cold within him.

To ask her! To tempt this child---- "But," says he, looking away from her religiously, "would you marry a man who was not in love with _you ?"_ "Not in love with me ?" "No.

Not actually in love, but who admired--liked you ?" "But a man who wasn't in love with me wouldn't want to marry me," says Tita.

"At least, that's what the novels say." "He might," says Rylton deliberately.

He leans forward.