n the stage, even though the participants wondrously sing
their words of vengeance and passion?"

"But--aw--they serve as warnings; they show us the things we ought not
to do, don't you know."

She smiled. "The sculptor who would chisel a beautiful form, does he
set before him the misshapen body of a hunchback, in order that he may
see what not to carve?" she asked. "And we who would transform the
human sense of life into one of freedom from evil, can we build a
perfect structure with such grewsome models as this before us? You
don't see it now," she sighed; "you are in the world, and of it; and
the world is deeply under the mesmeric belief of evil as a stern
reality. But the day is coming when our musicians and authors will
turn from such base material as this to nobler themes--themes which
will excite our wonder and admiration, and stimulate the desire for
purity of thought and deed--themes that will be beacon lights, and
true guides. You don't understand. But you will, some day."

Mrs. Hawley-Crowles frowned heavily as she listened to this
conversation, and she drew a sigh of relief when Carmen, sensing the
futility of any attempt to impress her thought upon the young man,
turned to topics which he could discuss with some degree of
intelligence.

Late in the evening Ames dropped in and came directly to the
Hawley-Crowles box. He brought a huge box of imported candy and a
gorgeous bouquet of orchids, which he presented to Carmen. Mrs.
Hawley-Crowles beamed upon him like the effulgent midday sun.

"Kathleen wants you, Reggy," Ames abruptly announced to the young man,
whose lips were molding into a pout. "Little gathering up at the
house. Take my car." His huge bulk loomed over the younger man like a
mountain as he took him by the shoulders and turned him toward the
exit.

"But I wish to see the opera!" protested the youth, with a vain show
of resistance.

Ames said nothing; but his domineering personality forced the boy out
of the box and into the corridor.

"But--Uncle Wilton--!"

Ames laughed curtly. Then he took the seat which his evicted nephew
had vacated, and bent over Carmen. With a final hopeless survey of the
situation, Reginald turned and descended to the cloak room, muttering
dire but futile threats against his irresistible relative.

"Now, little girl!" Ames's manner unconsciously assumed an air of
patronage. "This is the first real opportunity I've had to talk with
you. Tell me, what do you t