, I must meet this Carmen."

"You let her alone," said the Beaubien quickly in a low voice.

Ames wondered vaguely what she meant.

* * * * *

The inauguration of the Grand Opera season opened to Mrs. Hawley-Crowles
another avenue for her astonishing social activities. With rare
shrewdness she had contrived to outwit Mrs. Ames and secure the center
box in the "golden horseshoe" at the Metropolitan. There, like a gaudy
garden spider in its glittering web, she sat on the opening night,
with her rapt _protegee_ at her side, and sent her insolent challenge
broadcast. Multimillionaires and their haughty, full-toileted dames were
ranged on either side of her, brewers and packers, distillers and
patent medicine concoctors, railroad magnates and Board of Trade
plungers, some under indictment, others under the shadow of death,
all under the mesmeric charm of gold. In the box at her left sat the
Ames family, with their newly arrived guests, the Dowager Duchess of
Altern and her son. Though inwardly boiling, Mrs. Ames was smiling
and affable when she exchanged calls with the gorgeous occupants of
the Hawley-Crowles box.

"So chawmed to meet you," murmured the heir of Altern, a callow youth
of twenty-three, bowing over the dainty, gloved hand of Carmen. Then,
as he adjusted his monocle and fixed his jaded eyes upon the fresh
young girl, "Bah Jove!"

The gigantic form of Ames wedged in between the young man and Carmen.
"I've heard a lot about you," he said genially, in a heavy voice that
harmonized well with his huge frame; "but we haven't had an
opportunity to get acquainted until to-night."

For some moments he stood holding her hand and looking steadily at
her. The girl gazed up at him with her trustful brown eyes alight, and
a smile playing about her mouth. "My, but you are big!" she naively
exclaimed.

While she chatted brightly Ames held her hand and laughed at her
frank, often witty, remarks. But then a curious, eager look came into
his face, and he became quiet and reflective. He seemed unable to take
his eyes from her. And when the girl gently drew her hand from his he
laughed again, nervously.

"I--I know something about Colombia," he said, "and speak the language
a bit. We'll have to get together often, so's I can brush up."

Then, apparently noticing Mrs. Hawley-Crowles and her sister for the
first time--"Oh, so glad to see you both! Camorso's in fine voice
to-night,