outh?"

The manager, poising the carving knife, replied:

"Your suggestion is startling. We will obviate the possibility of any
such transformation."

And he cut the "ambrosian fat and lean" with a firm hand, eying the
suckling steadfastly the while as if to preclude any exhibition of
Hindoo mysticism, while the buxom lass, the daughter of the boniface,
with round arms bared, bore sundry other dishes from place to place
until the plates were heaped with an assortment of viands.

"Well, my dear, how are you getting on?" said the manager to the young
actress, Constance, as he helped himself to the crackle. "Have you
everything you want?"

She nodded brightly, and the stranger who was seated some distance
from her glanced up; his gaze rested on her for a moment and then
returned in cold contemplation to the fare set before him.

Yet was she worthy of more than passing scrutiny. The gleam of the
lamp fell upon her well-turned figure and the glistening of her eyes
could be seen in the shadow that rested on her brow beneath the crown
of hair. She wore a dark lavender dress, striped with silk, a small
"jacquette," after the style of the day, the sleeves being finished
with lace and the skirt full and flowing. Her heavy brown tresses were
arranged in a coiffure in the fashion then prevailing, a portion of
the hair falling in curls on the neck, the remainder brought forward
in plaits and fastened at the top of the forehead with a simple pearl
ornament.

If the young girl felt any interest in the presence of the taciturn
guest she concealed it, scarcely looking at him and joining but rarely
in the conversation. Susan, on the other hand, resorted to sundry
coquetries.

"I fear, sir, that you find our poor company intrusive, since we have
forced you to become one of us?" she said, toying with her fork, and
thereby displaying a white and shapely hand.

His impassive blue eyes met her sparkling ones.

"I am honored in being admitted to your fellowship," he returned
perfunctorily.

"Only poor players, sir!" exclaimed Hawkes deprecatingly, with the
regal gesture a stage monarch might use in setting forth the
perplexities of royal pre-eminence.

[Illustration]

"The landlord does not seem to share your opinion?" continued Susan,
looking once more at the stranger.

"As a host he believes in brave deeds, not fair words," said Kate,
indicating the remains of the repast.

"Peace to his bones!" exclaimed the manager, ext