"Then why did you invite such a fellow to call?"
"Because he thinks I live in a poor place, and it will make him mad to find me in such a nice room."
"I see," said Mordaunt, laughing. "It isn't as a friend you invite him."
"I'm as much his friend as he is mine."
"What makes him dislike you."
"I don't know, except because Bessie Benton is polite to me, and seems to like my company."
Mordaunt laughed.
"That explains it fully," he said. "So you are rivals for the young lady's hand?"
"Not quite. I ain't quite ready to be married yet. I'll wait awhile. But Bessie's a tip-top girl."
"You must introduce me some time."