ed to assist them, in the capacity of
forlorn hope. And this on Miss Marrable's own birthday! and this in her
father's house! and this after the unutterable sacrifices of six weeks
past! Of all the domestic disasters which the thankless theatrical
enterprise had inflicted on the Marrable family, the crowning misfortune
was now consummated by Magdalen's success.

Leaving Mr. Vanstone and Norah, on the conclusion of the play, among the
guests in the supper-room, Miss Garth went behind the scenes; ostensibly
anxious to see if she could be of any use; really bent on ascertaining
whether Magdalen's head had been turned by the triumphs of the evening.
It would not have surprised Miss Garth if she had discovered her
pupil in the act of making terms with the manager for her forthcoming
appearance in a public theater. As events really turned out, she found
Magdalen on the stage, receiving, with gracious smiles, a card which the
manager presented to her with a professional bow. Noticing Miss Garth's
mute look of inquiry, the civil little man hastened to explain that
the card was his own, and that he was merely asking the favor of Miss
Vanstone's recommendation at any future opportunity.

"This is not the last time the young lady will be concerned in
private theatricals, I'll answer for it," said the manager. "And if a
superintendent is wanted on the next occasion, she has kindly promised
to say a good word for me. I am always to be heard of, miss, at
that address." Saying those words, he bowed again, and discreetly
disappeared.

Vague suspicions beset the mind of Miss Garth, and urged her to insist
on looking at the card. No more harmless morsel of pasteboard was ever
passed from one hand to another. The card contained nothing but the
manager's name, and, under it, the name and address of a theatrical
agent in London.

"It is not worth the trouble of keeping," said Miss Garth.

Magdalen caught her hand before she could throw the card away--possessed
herself of it the next instant--and put it in her pocket.

"I promised to recommend him," she said--"and that's one reason for
keeping his card. If it does nothing else, it will remind me of the
happiest evening of my life--and that's another. Come!" she cried,
throwing her arms round Miss Garth with a feverish gayety--"congratulate
me on my success!"

"I will congratulate you when you have got over it," said Miss Garth.

In half an hour more Magdalen had changed her dress; h