erstand--US."

Feuerstein sighed--the darkness prevented her from seeing that he was
also frowning with impatience and irritation.

"But it must be settled at once, my heart's bride," he said gently.
"Secrecy, deception are horrible to me. And I am mad to claim you as
my own. I could not take you without their consent--that would be
unworthy. No, I could not grieve their honest hearts!"

Hilda was much disturbed. She was eminently practical herself, aside
from her fondness for romance, which Mr. Feuerstein was developing in a
way so unnatural in her surroundings, so foreign to her education; and
she could see just how her father would look upon her lover. She
feared he would vent plain speech that would cut Mr. Feuerstein's
sensitive soul and embattle his dignity and pride against his love.
"I'll speak to them as soon as I can," she said.

"Then you will speak to them to-morrow or next day, my treasure, and I
shall see you on Sunday afternoon."

"No--not Sunday afternoon. I must stay at home--father has ordered it."

"Disappointment--deception--postponement!" Feuerstein struck his hand
upon his brow and sighed tragically. "Oh, my little Erebus-haired
angel, how you do test my love!"

Hilda was almost in tears--it was all intensely real to her. She felt
that he was superfine, that he suffered more than ordinary folk, like
herself and her people. "I'll do the best I can," she pleaded.

"It would be best for you to introduce them to me at once and let ME
speak."

"No--no," she protested earnestly, terror in her voice and her hand
trembling in his. "That would spoil everything. You wouldn't
understand them, or they you. I'll speak--and see you Monday night."

"Let it be so," he conceded. "But I must depart. I am studying a new
role." He had an engagement to take supper with several of his
intimates at the Irving Place cafe, where he could throw aside the
heaviest parts of his pose and give way to his appetite for beer and
Schweizerkase sandwiches. "How happy we shall be!" he murmured
tenderly, kissing her cheek and thinking how hard it was to be
practical and keep remote benefits in mind when she was so beautiful
and so tempting and so trustful. He said aloud: "I am impatient,
soul's delight! Is it strange?" And he bowed like a stage courtier to
a stage queen and left her.

She joined Sophie and Heilig and walked along in silence, Sophie
between Otto and her. He caught glimpses of her face,