te it to yourself. Learn to give it all and
more than its value. That libretto is going to catch hold of Crayford
right away, if you read it, and read it well."

When she had recovered from her first shock of surprise Charmian felt
radiantly happy. She had something to do. Alston, with his shrewd
outlook, was bringing her a step farther into this enterprise. He was
right. She remembered Crayford. A woman should read him the libretto,
and in a _decor_--swiftly her imagination began to work. The _decor_
should be perfection; and her gown!

"How clever of you to think of that, Alston!" she exclaimed. "I'll study
as if I were going to be an actress."

"That's the proposition! By Jove, you and I understand each other over
this. I know Crayford by heart. We've got to what the French call
'_eblouir_' him when we get him here. We must play upon him with the
scenery proposition; what he can do in the way of wonderful new stage
effects. When we've got him thoroughly worked up over the libretto and
the scenery prop., we'll begin to let him hear the music, but not a
moment before. We can't be too careful, Mrs. Charmian. Crayford's a man
who doesn't start going in a hurry on newly laid rails. He wants to test
every sleeper pretty nearly. But once get him going, and the evening
express from New York City to Chicago isn't in it with him. Now you and
I have got to get him started before ever he comes to old Claude. In
fact--"

He paused, put one finger to his firm round chin.

"But we can decide that a bit later on."

"That? What, Alston?"

"I was going to say it might be as well to get Claude out of the way for
a day or two while we start on old Crayford here. I suppose it could be
managed somehow?"

"Alston--" Charmian stopped on the path between the geraniums. "Anything
can be managed that will help to persuade Mr. Crayford to accept
Claude's opera."

"Right you are. That's talking! I'll think it all over and let you
know."

"Oh," she exclaimed. "How I wish the end of August was here! You'll be
in London. All your time will be filled up. You'll be singing, being
applauded, _getting on_. And I have to sit here, and wait--wait."

"You'll be studying the libretto."

"So I shall!"

She sent him a grateful look.

"What a good friend you are to us, Alston!" she said, and there was
heart at that moment in her voice.

"And haven't you been good friends to me? What about the studio? What
about the Prophet's Chamber? Why,