pretended not to be. I was amused, I roared; I was afraid they would turn me out.'
He laughed.
' Somehow, whatever you do, I can't disapprove,' he said; ' though the notion of all Topsie's friends sitting there and looking at him, and talking it over afterwards, makes me feel ill. But you——— '
' Dear Charlie, it is too nice of you. But break those rose-coloured spectacles through which you so kindly observe me. It is no use. I have told you before it was no use, and I don't like telling you again.'
' Why?' he asked.
' Oh, that is so like a man, and especially an Englishman. You know why. Because it hurts you.'
' You dislike hurting me? That is something,' said he.
' But that is all,' she said.
The orchestra had taken their places, and a silence began to spread over the theatre as the lights were lowered. Then suddenly he leaned towards her so that he could smell the faint, warm fragrance of her presence.
' You mean that?' he asked.
She nodded her head in reply, and the curtain rose.
