the gleam of white
teeth as they gnawed the lower lip under the slight dark line of the
moustache.

He had glanced from me to Farnham, and something in his look told me
that, for a reason to me unfathomable, he was displeased at seeing us
together.

At the end of the act we went out for a smoke and a breath of fresh air,
and as we were returning we met Wildred near the stairway which, at the
St. James's, leads to the boxes on one side of the house.

"I was looking for you," he said to Farnham, and the tones of the voice
roused the same vague, unpleasant memories that the eyes had stirred.

"And we were just talking of you," Farnham annoyed me by retorting. "I
should like to be the means of making you two known to each other. Of
course, Wildred, you have heard all about Noel Stanton. This is actually
he in the flesh, and he has been telling me that he believes he must
have seen you somewhere before."

Mr. Wildred tossed away a cigarette, and followed it with his brilliant
eyes. He was smiling, but his lips were tense, as his gaze came back to
me.

"It is my misfortune," he said, "to be obliged to assure you that Mr.
Stanton is mistaken. I know him as well as one can do without having met
him, through his book, and a world-wide reputation, but beyond that I
have not till now had the pleasure."

We looked into each other's eyes, and I knew the man lied, and that he
hated me. But the mystery of his personality and my share in his past
was as profound a mystery as before.

"Lady Tressidy sent me out particularly," he continued, "in quest of you
both, having recognised Mr. Stanton from his numerous counterfeit
presentments, and she hopes that you will come and be introduced to her
and to Miss Cunningham in their box."

Farnham looked at me doubtfully, fearing perhaps that I would refuse.
But, grudgingly as the message was evidently delivered by Wildred, I
grasped at the opportunity it gave.

I should speak to Miss Cunningham. I should know her. I might dare to
look at her, and I might touch her hand.

I have gone through some queer experiences in rather an eventful life,
and have generally managed to keep a cool head in emergencies. But my
head was not cool to-night. Everything was dark to me, except the one
lovely face raised smilingly towards mine, as some murmured words of
introduction were spoken in the box, a little later, giving me the right
henceforth to claim Miss Cunningham as an acquaintance.

I sup