"I've suspected that
Marrineal means to capitalize it eventually, though I don't know just
how. He's a secret sort of animal, Marrineal."
"But he gives you a free hand?" she asked.
"He has to," said Banneker simply.
Camilla Van Arsdale sighed. "It's success, Ban. Isn't it?"
"Yes. It's success. In its kind."
"Is it happiness?"
"Yes. Also in its kind."
"The real kind? The best kind?"
"It's satisfaction. I'm doing what I want to do."
She sighed. "I'd hoped for something more."
He shook his head. "One can't have everything."
"Why not?" she demanded almost fiercely. "You ought to have. You're made
for it." After a pause she added: "Then it isn't Betty Raleigh. I'd
hoped it was. I've been watching her. There's character there, Ban, as
well as charm."
"She has other interests. No; it isn't Betty."
"Ban, there are times when I could hate her," broke out Miss Van
Arsdale.
"Who? Betty?"
"You know whom well enough."
"I stand corrected in grammar as well as fact," he said lightly.
"Have you seen her?"
"Yes. I see her occasionally. Not often."
"Does she come here?"
"She has been."
"And her husband?"
"No."
"Ban, aren't you ever going to get over it?"
He looked at her silently.
"No; you won't.
Pages:
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517