ng before you accomplish anything. You will
see Daisy looking at you with reproach; you will see Victor looking at
you with wonder; you will see Lord Lindfield looking at you with--with
admiration. You won't be able to bear any of those things, least of all
the last. You will have some involuntary shudder of horror at him, or
you will obey your heart and run to comfort Daisy, and give it all
away. Yours is one of the schemes that don't come off, because they are
unthinkable."

But Jeannie interrupted again.

"You mustn't discourage me," she said, "because I want all the spirits I
am capable of to carry it through. It has to be done with a light heart,
else it will deceive nobody. And so, my dear, to-morrow you will say
'good-bye' to me, and have a sort of wraith of me instead for a little
while. Oh, Alice, I hope it won't take very long!"

The intense heat of the afternoon had a little abated, and after tea the
two drove out for a while, returning early in order to dine and go to
the opera. It began at eight, and Jeannie, after her year's sojourn in
the country, demanded a full dose, and they arrived before the beginning
of the first act. Outside it was still not quite the hour of sunset, and
the streets and houses were gilded by the soft reddish glow of the
superb summer evening. At the porch of the opera-house were a few men
standing about, clearly waiting for friends, and for that purpose
examining the disembarking carriages. As the two got out, one of these
gently but quite firmly shouldered his way towards them.

"Looking out for an acquaintance, I find a friend, Lady Nottingham," he
said. "That's my luck all over.--Why, Mrs. Halton! Have you the smallest
remembrance of me?"

Jeannie had seen him, and for one moment of weakness and indecision had
tried to pass by without seeming to recognize him. But it was impossible
to ignore this, and though she had hoped her role would not begin till
to-morrow, it was clear now that she must start to-day.

"Why, but how charming to see you, Lord Lindfield," she said. "I am
delighted. I am only just home, you know--or perhaps you don't, for why
should you? Do leave your acquaintance in the lurch, now you have found
a friend--it would have been prettier of you, by the way, to have said
two friends--and join us. Alice dear, carry Lord Lindfield off under
your cloak to the box. Kidnap him."

"Jove! yes, I'll be kidnapped," said he. "Kidnap me quick, please, Lady
Nottingham,