s meant to tell Maxwell what she had done, but she was always
waiting for something to come of it, and when nothing came of it, she
did not tell; she had been so disgusted at the mere notion of answering
the man's advertisement. Now, here was the man himself, and he had to be
answered, and that would probably be worse than answering his
advertisement. "I remember," she said, provisionally, but with the
resolution to speak exactly the truth; "I wrote to you _for_ Mr.
Maxwell," which did not satisfy her as the truth ought to have done.

"Well, then, I wish you would please tell him that I didn't reply to his
letter because it kept following me from place to place, and I only got
it at the _Register_ office this morning."

"I will tell Mr. Maxwell," said Louise.

"I should be glad to see his play, if he still has it to dispose of.
From what Mr. Grayson has told me of it, I think it might--I think I
should like to see it. It might suit the--the party I am acting for," he
added, letting himself go.

"Then you are not the--the--star?"

"I am the manager for the star."

"Oh," said Louise, with relief. The fact seemed to put another
complexion on the affair. A distaste which she had formed for Mr. Sterne
personally began to cede to other feelings. If he was manager for the
star, he must be like other managers, such as Maxwell was willing to
deal with, and if he knew Mr. Grayson he must be all right. "I will
tell Mr. Maxwell," she said, with no provisionality this time.

Mr. Sterne prepared to go, so far as buttoning his overcoat and making
some paces towards the door gave token of his intention. Louise followed
him with a politeness which was almost gratitude to him for reinstating
her in her own esteem. He seemed to have atmospheric intelligence of her
better will towards him, for he said, as if it were something she might
feel an interest in: "If I can get a play that will suit, I shall take
the road with a combination immediately after New Year's. I don't know
whether you have ever seen the lady I want the play for."

"The lady?" gasped Louise.

"She isn't very well-known in the East yet, but she will be. She wants a
play of her own. As I understand Mr. Grayson, there is a part in Mr.
Maxwell's play that would fit her to a T, or could be fitted to her;
these things always need some little adaptation." Mr. Sterne's manner
became easier and easier. "Curious thing about it is that you are next
door--or next floor--nei