st," continued Jim, "you must have known that I loved you;
no woman is ever blind to that. That you should reflect before you
give me an answer, I can understand; but please let me know my fate as
soon as possible. It is cruel to keep me in suspense." And here the
flood of Jim's eloquence was arrested by the brougham pulling up at the
door of the theatre.

Mrs. Wriothesley and her cavalier glanced keenly at the pair as they
entered the box. Mr. Cottrell, indeed, had complimented his hostess on
her little bit of _finesse_ on the road, and she had made no scruple of
admitting that she hoped to bring about a marriage between the two. As
to the Hussar, he was quite equal to the occasion, and from all that
could be gathered from his imperturbable manner, might have been
entertaining his companion with his meteorological views for the last
half-hour. But with poor Sylla it was different. However good an
actress the girl might be theatrically, she was a lamentable failure in
the affairs of real life now that she found herself the leading lady;
and both her quick-eyed aunt and the lynx-eyed Mr. Cottrell felt just
as certain that an _eclaircissement_ had taken place as if they had
assisted at it. More discreet chaperons were impossible, and after the
first glance they took no further notice of the lovers, confining their
conversation to each other, and their attention to the stage. After a
little Mr. Cottrell discovered a friend in the stalls, with whom it was
an absolute necessity he should exchange a few words; and then the
interest Mrs. Wriothesley took in the play proved what an enthusiast
she was about dramatic art.

But the green curtain fell at last--though, with the exception of Mrs.
Wriothesley, it would be almost open to question whether any of them
knew even the name of the piece they had witnessed--and the party
proceeded homewards. Jim made good use of his opportunities on the
drive back to Hans Place; and upon arrival, took advantage of Sylla's
temporary escape upstairs to whisper to Mrs. Wriothesley that he had
told his tale, and been favourably listened to. He felt assured of her
congratulations. He knew he was a favourite of hers, and that she was
much too clever a woman to have allowed him to see so much of Sylla
unless she had approved of his suit. They were a very pleasant but
rather quiet party at supper. Lovers in the spring-tide of their
delirium have rarely conversation except for each othe