He
clapped as the others did at the end of the first act, and he
leaned forward just as eagerly to catch a glimpse of her when she
reappeared and stood there with that marvelous smile upon her lips,
accepting with faint, deprecating gratitude the homage of the
packed house.

Just before the curtain rose upon the second act, there was a knock
at his box door. One of the attendants ushered in a short man of
somewhat remarkable personality. He was barely five feet in height,
and an extremely fat neck and a corpulent body gave him almost the
appearance of a hunchback. He had black, beady eyes, a black
moustache fiercely turned up, and sallow skin. His white gloves
had curious stitchings on the back not common in England, and his
silk hat, exceedingly glossy, had wider brims than are usually
associated with Bond Street.

Laverick half rose, but the little man spread out one hand and
commenced to speak. His accent was foreign, but, if not an
Englishman, he at any rate spoke the language with confidence.

"My dear sir," he began, "I owe you many apologies. It was
Mademoiselle Idiale's wish that I should make your acquaintance.
My name is Lassen. I have the fortune to be Mademoiselle's business
manager.

"I am very glad to meet you, Mr. Lassen," said Laverick. "Will
you sit down?"

Mr. Lassen thereupon hung his hat upon a peg, removed his overcoat,
straightened his white tie with the aid of a looking-glass, brushed
back his glossy black hair with the palms of his hands, and took
the seat opposite Laverick. His first question was inevitable.

"What do you think of the opera, sir?"

"It is like Mademoiselle Idiale herself," Laverick answered. "It
is above criticism."

"She is," Mr. Lassen said firmly, "the loveliest woman in Europe
and her voice is the most wonderful. It is a great combination,
this. I myself have managed for many stars, I have brought to
England most of those whose names are known during the last ten
years; but there has never been another Louise Idiale,--never will
be."

"I can believe it," Laverick admitted.

"She has wonderful qualities, too," continued Mr. Lassen. "Your
acquaintance with her, I believe, sir, is of the shortest."

"That is so," Laverick answered, a little coldly. He was not
particularly taken with his visitor.

"Mademoiselle has spoken to me of you," the latter proceeded.
"She desired that I should pay my respects during the performance."

"It is very kind