"Very appropriate month," he interjected.
"Then I am through with this sort of a life—good-by forever to Dodo!" she went on rapidly. "You don't believe me? I assure you, I never was more serious! Then I shall choose"—she raised her fingers, counting—"a great love, marriage, career, or"—she ended with a shrug—"lots of money!"
"I see," he said, comprehending her maneuver, and yet annoyed by it. "And so Sassoon is a possibility?"
"If you fail, quite a possibility!" she said, to irritate him further. "At any rate, I shall keep him just where I want him—until the time comes to decide!"
"You could never do that, Dodo!" he said sharply.
"Oh, couldn't I?" she cried, delighted that he had entertained the thought. "I'm quite capable of being a cold-blooded little adventuress! Perhaps I am one, and am only making sport of you. Beware! As for Sassoon—do you know what I'd do? I'd make him give me a career, and then, when I am very, very well known, perhaps—if I wanted—I'd make him divorce, and become Mrs. Sassoon! How would you like to meet me in society?" She laughed at the thought, but added immediately: "Oh, it is not so impossible, either! Nowadays, a clever girl who sees just what she wants can do anything!"
"Is that what you would do with me?" he said quietly.
She turned swiftly, abandoning all her pretense, pain in her eyes.
"Oh, no, Your Honor! Not with you! I would take nothing from you, now or ever!"
"Then don't say such things!" he said, strangely soothed by the passion in her voice.