satisfied
with it."

She picked it up and handed it to Alston.

"And then show it to Claude while I take off my cloak."

She went away, smiling.

The waiters had gone out for a moment. The two friends were alone
together.

Claude put his arm round Alston Lake's shoulder.

"Alston, this has been my first chance to congratulate you without a lot
of people round us, or--really to tell you, I mean, how fine your
performance was. There is no doubt that you are a made man from
to-night. I am glad for you. You've worked splendidly, and you deserve
this great success."

Alston wrung his friend's hand.

"Thank you, Claude. But I only got my chance through you and Mrs.
Charmian. If you hadn't composed a splendid opera, I couldn't have
scored in it."

"You would have scored in something else. You are going to."

"I shall never enjoy singing any role so much as I have enjoyed singing
your Spahi."

"I don't see how you are ever going to sing any role better," said
Claude.

Their hands fell apart as Charmian quickly came in.

"You've put your coats in the lobby? That's right. Oh, here is supper!
Caviare first! I'll sit here. Oh, Alston, what a comfort to be quietly
here with just you and Claude after all the excitement!"

For a moment her mouth dropped, but only for a moment.

"But I'm wonderfully little tired!" she continued. "It all went so
splendidly, without a single hitch. Mr. Crayford must be enchanted. I
only saw him for a moment coming out after I had congratulated Miss
Mardon. There were so many people. There was no time to hear all he
thought. But there could not be two opinions. Claudie, do you feel quite
finished?"

"No," said Claude, in a strong voice, which broke in almost strangely
upon her lively chattering.

Both Charmian and Alston looked at him for an instant with a sort of
inquiry, which in Charmian was almost furtive.

"That's good!" Charmian began, after a little pause. "I was almost
afraid--here's the champagne! We ought to drink a toast to-night, I
think. Suppose we--"

"We'll drink to Alston's career," interrupted Claude. And he lifted his
glass.

"Alston!" said Charmian, swiftly following his example.

"And now no more toasts for the present. They seem too formal when only
we three are together. And we know what we wish each other without them.
Oyster soup! You see, I remembered what you are fond of, Claudie. I
recollect ages ago in London I once met Mr. Whistler. It was when I