"What makes you think I like him well enough?"
"I don't. But he's the sort you're looking for, isn't he?"
She nodded. "I can't expect to—marry a decent man. I've learned that much."
There was a pause, and then, "It would be a great pity," he said.
"You're not complimentary. Perhaps I'm not so bad as I appear."
"I didn't mean that. It would be too bad, on your account. I—like you. Maybe it's your beauty that has gone to my head; no man could remain quite sane in your company." He turned his tired, bright eyes upon her, and Lorelei stirred uncomfortably. "You're quite different to what I first thought you."
"Oh no! I'm exactly what you thought. I've seen Mr. Wharton only twice."
"He's crazy about you. He acts wholly upon impulse, of course. It ought to be easy."
Merkle inquired the time of his chauffeur, then directed him to turn homeward along the North Shore.
"I sha'n't be selfish and keep you out any longer, Miss Knight," he said. "If you don't mind I'll doze on the way in, and try to figure out the next move in this Hammon affair."