d play
with them there, and leave Doris to me.' And he did!" she concluded
triumphantly.

Count Poltavo looked about, as if noting for the first time Farrington's
preoccupation. "Is he quite well?" he inquired, in an undertone.

Lady Dinsmore shrugged her shoulders.

"Frankly, I think he had a slight indisposition, and magnified it in
order to escape small talk. He hates music. Doris has been quite
distrait ever since. The child adores her uncle--you know, of course,
that she is his niece--the daughter of my sister. Gregory was her
father's brother--we are almost related."

Her companion glanced across to the subject of their remarks. The girl
sat in the front of the box, slim and elegant, her hands clasped loosely
in her lap. She was watching the brilliant scene with a certain air of
detachment, as if thinking of other things. Her usual lightness and gay
banter seemed for the moment to have deserted her, leaving a soft
brooding wistfulness that was strangely appealing.

The Count looked at her.

"She is very beautiful," he murmured under his breath.

Something in his voice caught Lady Dinsmore's attention. She eyed him
keenly.

The Count met her look frankly.

"Is--is she engaged to her young friend?" he asked quietly. "Believe me,
it is not vulgar curiosity which prompts the question. I--I
am--interested." His voice was as composed as ever.

Lady Dinsmore averted her gaze hurriedly and thought with lightning
rapidity.

"I have not her confidence," she replied at length, in a low tone; "she
is a wise young woman and keeps her own counsel." She appeared to
hesitate. "She dislikes you," she said. "I am sorry to wound you, but it
is no secret."

Count Poltavo nodded. "I know," he said, simply. "Will you be my good
friend and tell me why?"

Lady Dinsmore smiled. "I will do better than that," she said kindly. "I
will be your very good friend and give you a chance to ask her why.
Frank,"--she bent forward and tapped the young man upon the shoulder
with her fan,--"will you come over here and tell me what your editor
means?"

The Count resigned his seat courteously, and took the vacant place
beside the girl. A silence fell between them, which presently the man
broke.

"Miss Gray," he began, seriously, "your aunt kindly gave me this
opportunity to ask you a question. Have I your permission also?"

The girl arched her eyebrows. Her lip curled ever so slightly.

"A question to which you and my Aunt Patrici