He stayed her by a wistful, longing, and half-boyish smile.

"Say," he said, "you see you didn't run quick enough, and now I'm going
to ask you something. You must have seen a good deal of women as well
as men in your calling."

"Yes, I have."

"Seen them with their masks off?"

"Yes."

"What does love count for in the big hours of life? Does it stand
everything, anything?"

Priscilla felt her throat contract. She longed to say something that
would reach Huntter without arousing his suspicions.

"No; love--at least, woman's love, doesn't stand everything--always."

"What doesn't it stand? The essence, I mean."

"It doesn't stand unfair play! Women understand fair play and for
it would die. They may not say much, but--they never forgive
being--tricked."

"Oh! of course. How graphic you are, Miss Glynn. You sound as if we
were discussing a game of--of tennis or bridge. Gentlemen do not trick
ladies." He frowned a bit.