She regarded him without offence at this candor, then nodded.
"Yes. You see, it meant more to me than to you or to her. With you two it is but a romance forgotten in a night. I have pretty nearly outlived romance."
"You think I will forget easily? That's not flattering."
"All men do. You will even forget my part in the affair, and we will be better friends than ever."
"Suppose I don't choose to accept what it pleases people to hand me?"
"My dear Kirk!" She smiled. "You will have to in this case. There is nothing else to do."
He shook his head. "I hoped we could be friends, Mrs. Cortlandt, but it seems we can't be."
At this she broke out, imperiously, her eyes flashing.
"I ask nothing you can't give. I have never been denied, and I won't be denied now. You can't afford to break with me."
"Indeed! Why do you think that?"