“So, your engagement to Miss Garavel is broken?” she began, when she and Kirk had seated themselves in two of the big rockers that lined the porch.

“All smashed to pieces, running-gear broken, steering-knuckle bent, gasolene tank punctured.  I need a tow.”

“You take it calmly.”

“What’s the use of struggling?  I’m no Samson to go around pulling down temples.”

“Did you expect her to yield so tamely?”

“I didn’t know she had yielded.  In fact, I haven’t had a chance to talk to her.”

“But she has.  Mr. Garavel told me not an hour ago that as soon as he explained his wishes she consented to marry Ramon without a protest.”

“A refusal would have meant the death of the old man’s chances, I presume.  She acted quite dutifully.”

“Yes.  If she had refused Ramon, I doubt if we could have saved her father.  As it is, the General withdraws and leaves the field clear, the two young people are reunited, quite as if you had never appeared, and you—­My dear Kirk, now what about you?”

“Oh, I don’t count.  I never have counted in anything, you know.  That’s the trouble with good-natured people.  But is it true that Garavel is practically elected?”

“General Alfarez couldn’t very well step in after he had publicly stepped out, could he?  That would be a trifle too treacherous; he’d lose his support, and our people could then have an excuse to take a hand.  I’m tremendously glad it’s all settled finally, I assure you.  It was a strain; and although I’m sorry you got your fingers pinched between the political wheels, I’m relieved that the uncertainty is ended.”

So far they had been speaking like mere acquaintances, but now Kirk turned upon her a trifle bitterly.

“I think you worked it very cleverly, Mrs. Cortlandt,” he said.  “Of course, I had no chance to win against a person of your diplomatic gifts.  I had my nerve to try.”

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?”