Her national susceptibilities were again wounded by the implication that a rare and beautiful woman--for so she termed Helen Buchanan--might be forced, not only to hope for marriage, but to seek it; the implication that urgency lay rather in the woman's state than in the man's.

She had all the romantic American confidence in the power of the rare and beautiful woman to marry when and whom she chose.
'I am sure you need never try,' she said with warmth.

'I'm sure you have dozens of delightful people in love with you.' Miss Buchanan turned her eyes on her and laughed as though she found this idea amusing.

'Why, in heaven's name, should I have dozens of delightful people in love with me ?' 'You are so lovely, so charming, so distinguished.' 'Am I?
Thanks, my dear.

I'm afraid you see things _en couleur de rose_.' And, still smiling, her eyes dwelling on Althea with their indifferent kindness, she went on: 'Have you delightful dozens in love with you ?' Althea did not desert her guns.