result, Miss Nippett's mind being wholly possessed by
"Poulter's" and its chief.

"He promised to send me a postcard to say how he got on, but I suppose
he was too busy to remember," sighed Miss Nippett.

"Surely not!"

"He's like all these great men: all their 'earts in their fame, with no
thought for their humble assistants," she complained, to add after a
few moments' pause, "A pity you're married."

"Why?"

"'Cause, since I've been laid up, he's been in want of a reliable
accompanist."

Mavis explained that she would be glad of some work, at which her
friend said:

"Then off you go at once to the academy. He's often spoken of you, and
quite nicely, and he's asked for you in family prayers. If he's won the
prize, it's as sure as 'knife' that he'll give you the job. And mind
you come and tell me if he's won."

Mavis thanked her wheezing, kind-hearted friend, and promised that she
would return directly she had any news. Then, with hope in her heart,
she hurried to the well-remembered academy, where she had sought work
so many eventful months ago. As before, she looked into the impassive
face of "Turpsichor" while she waited for the door to be answered.

A slatternly servant of the charwoman species replied to her summons.
Upon Mavis saying that she wanted to see Mr Poulter immediately, she
was shown into the "Ladies' Waiting Room," from which Mavis gathered
that Mr Poulter had returned.

After a while, Mr Poulter came into the room with a shy, self-conscious
smile upon his lovable face.

"You've heard?" he asked, as she shook hands.

Mavis looked at him in surprise.

"Of course you have, and have come to congratulate me," he continued.

"I'm glad you've been successful," said Mavis, now divining the reason
of his elation.

"Yes" (here he sighed happily), "I've won the great cotillion prize
competition. Just think of it!" Here he took a deep breath before
saying, "All the dancing-masters in the United Kingdom competed, even
including Gellybrand" (here his voice and face perceptibly hardened),
"but I won."

"I congratulate you," said Mavis.

Mr Poulter's features weakened into a broad smile eloquent of an
immense satisfaction.

"You can tell people you've been one of the first to congratulate me,"
he remarked.

"I won't forget. I was sorry to see that Miss Nippett is so unwell."

"It's most unfortunate; it so interferes with the evening classes."

"But she may get well soon."

"I fear not.