her own sense of fitness? Had this innocent
plot of hers, to startle him into amazed admiration, led them both into
a labyrinth of misunderstanding?

She answered Jarvis's letter and sent it to the theatre, asking them to
forward it:

"DEAR MR. JOCELYN: Your letter touched me very much in its appeal for my
sympathy and understanding. I am regretful that sorrow has found you
out. I think of you always as young and strong and happy, with a young
wife, and the world before you. I hate to have you spoil my picture.

"I repeat my satisfaction that you and your wife enjoy your work on
'Francesca.' I found such happiness myself in doing her, that I like to
think we share the pleasure between us, we three.

"Is it your own ambition that drives you so that you say 'I must,' in
regard to success? Sometimes, if we set our hearts too much on a thing,
our very determination thwarts us. Is it not so? Perhaps it is for the
sake of some one else that you are so eager for accomplishment. I feel
that it is to come to you in this play, and I am glad.

"Be of good cheer, Comrade. Even the memory of bitter fights grows dim.
I will not think of you as daunted by anything life can offer. No, nor
death. Why have I this confidence in you, I wonder?

"In all friendliness,
"THE LADY OF MYSTERY."

The day this letter came to Jarvis marked a change in him to Bambi's
watchful eye. He threw himself with renewed ardour into the work. For
the first time in many days they walked together, and he seemed more
himself than he had been since Strong's unfortunate visit. Was it the
effect of this letter? He was beginning to be easily influenced by this
supposed stranger! The idea was too fantastic.

"What kind of a woman do you imagine the author of 'Francesca' to be?"
she asked him as they trudged along a wintry road. He started a little,
she thought.

"I scarcely know," he evaded. "I always think of her as tall and thin
and frail, with a rather sad face, white, with humorous gray eyes, and a
sensitive mouth."

"I always think of her as little and fat and cuddly."

"Oh, not cuddly!" he protested.

She laughed.

"Any news from her lately?"

"Yes. I had a letter to-day."

"Did you ask if she was coming to rehearsals?"

"Not yet."

"Haven't you any curiosity about her?"

"In a way, yes. But I respect her desire in the matter."

"I don't. If I could get it o