performance of a new play that
night.

"The Brandreths have a party going," he said, "and your places are next
to theirs. Yours are at the end of the row, so they'll have to pass you
going in, if you're early on the spot."

I liked that detective. He had "struck" a smart idea!

We had only just time to dress and dine at our hotel, and dash to the
theatre in a taxi, if we wished to arrive when the doors were opened.

It was lucky we did this, for the audience assembled promptly, in order
to hear some music written for the new play by a popular composer. We
had hardly looked through the programme after settling down in our
chairs when a familiar fragrance floated to me. It was what I had always
called "Rosemary's _leitmotif_," expressed in perfume. I turned my head,
and--there she was in great beauty coming along the aisle with three or
four men and as many pretty women.

I had got myself up that night expressly to attract
attention--Rosemary's attention. I was determined that she should not,
while laughing and talking with her friends, pass me by without
recognition. Consequently, I was dressed more suitably for a ball than a
play. I had on a gown of gold tissue, and my second best tiara, to say
nothing of a few more scattered diamonds and a double rope of pearls. It
was impossible for the most absent-minded eye to miss me, or my
black-browed, red-haired giant in evening dress--Jim. As I looked over
my shoulder at Rosemary, therefore, she looked at me. Our gaze
encountered, and--my jaw almost dropped. She showed not the slightest
sign of surprise; did not start, did not blush or turn pale. Her lovely
face expressed good-natured admiration, that was all.

She glanced at Jim, too--as all women do glance--with interest. But it
was purely impersonal interest, as if to say, "There's a _man_!"

Those black brows of his drew together in disapproval, because she had
no right to be so rosy and happy, so much more voluptuous in her beauty
than she had been when with Ralston Murray. Rosemary, however, seemed
quite unconscious of Jim's disgust. She had an air of conquering,
conscious charm, as if all the world must love and admire her--such an
air as she had never worn in our experience. Having looked us over with
calm admiration she marshalled her guests, and was especially charming
to one of the women, a dark, glowing creature almost as beautiful as
herself. Something within me whispered: "_That's_ the woman she was
jealo