out
at Attra."

Ernestine heard and leaned forward smiling. Trent did as he was asked,
with set teeth and an ill grace. From then, until the curtain went up
for the next act, he had only to sit still and listen.

Afterwards the play scarcely fulfilled the promise of its commencement.
At the third act Trent had lost all interest in it. Suddenly an idea
occurred to him. He drew a card from his pocket and, scribbling a word
or two on it, passed it along to Lady Tresham. She leaned forward and
smiled approval upon him.

"Delightful!"

Trent reached for his hat and whispered in Ernestine's ear.

"You are all coming to supper with me at the 'Milan,'" he said; "I am
going on now to see about it."

She smiled upon him, evidently pleased.

"What a charming idea! But do you mean all of us?"

"Why not?"

He found his carriage outside without much difficulty and drove quickly
round to the Milan Restaurant. The director looked doubtful.

"A table for eighteen, sir! It is quite too late to arrange it, except
in a private room."

"The ladies prefer the large room," Trent answered decidedly, "and you
must arrange it somehow. I'll give you carte blanche as to what you
serve, but it must be of the best."

The man bowed. This must be a millionaire, for the restaurant was the
"Milan."

"And the name, sir?"

"Scarlett Trent--you may not know me, but Lady Tresham, Lord Colliston,
and the Earl of Howton are amongst my guests."

The man saw no more difficulties. The name of Scarlett Trent was the
name which impressed him. The English aristocrat he had but little
respect for, but a millionaire was certainly next to the gods.

"We must arrange the table crossways, sir, at the end of the room," he
said. "And about the flowers?"

"The best, and as many as you can get," Trent answered shortly. "I have
a 100 pound note with me. I shall not grumble if I get little change out
of it, but I want value for the money."

"You shall have it, sir!" the man answered significantly--and he kept
his word.

Trent reached the theatre only as the people were streaming out. In the
lobby he came face to face with Ernestine and Francis. They were talking
together earnestly, but ceased directly they saw him.

"I have been telling Captain Francis," Ernestine said, "of your
delightful invitation."

"I hope that Captain Francis will join us," Trent said coldly.

Francis stepped behind for a moment to light a cigarette.

"I shall be delighte