continued inexorably. In the well of the orchestra a hidden
flute suddenly ran up a scale ending on E flat. Charmian almost began to
writhe with secret irritation.

"What a long wait!" she exclaimed, ruthlessly interrupting her
companion. "I really must go behind and see what is happening."

"But they must have a quarter of an hour to change the set," said the
dressmaker. "And it's only five minutes since--"

"Yes, I know. I'll look for you here when the curtain goes up."

As she made her way toward the exit she turned and looked toward the
boxes. She did not see the distant figures of Mrs. Shiffney and the
financier. And she stopped abruptly. Could they have gone away already?
She looked at her watch. It was only ten o'clock. Her eyes travelled
swiftly round the semicircle of boxes. She saw no one. They must have
gone. Her heart sank, but her cheeks burned with an angry flush. At that
moment she felt almost like a mother who hears people call her child
ugly. She stood for a moment, thinking. The verdict in advance! If Mrs.
Shiffney had gone away it was surely given already. Charmian resolved
that she would say nothing to Claude. To do so might discourage him. Her
cheeks were still burning when she pushed the heavy door which protected
the mysterious region from the banality she had left.

But there she was again carried from mood to mood.

She found everyone enthusiastic. Crayford's tic was almost triumphant.
His little beard bristled with an aggressive optimism.

"Where's Claude?" said Charmian, not seeing him and thinking of Mrs.
Shiffney.

"Making some cuts," said Crayford. "The stage shows things up. There are
bits in that act that have got to come out. But it's a bully act and
will go down as easily as a--Hullo, Jimber! Sure you've got your motors
right for the locust scene?"

He escaped.

"Mr. Mulworth!" cried Charmian, seeing the producer rushing toward the
wings, with the perspiration pouring over his now haggard features.
"_Mister_ Mulworth! How long will Claude take making the cuts, do you
think?"

"He'll have to stick at them all through the next act. If they're not
made the act's a fizzle! Jeremy! See here! We've got to have a pin-light
on Miss Mardon when she comes down that staircase!"

He escaped.

"Signor Meroni, I hear you have to make some cuts! D'you think--"

"_Signora--ma si! Ma si!_"

He escaped.

"Take care, marm, if you please! Look out for that sand bank!"

Charmian withdr