ve an ideal, Mr.
Westervelt."

"An ideal. What should I do with that?"

Like most men, Douglass knew nothing about gowns in their constituent
parts, but he had a specially keen eye for the fitting and beautiful in
a woman's toilet, and Helen was a constant delight to him because of the
distinction of her dresses. They were refined, yet not weakly
so--simple, yet always alluring. Under the influence of her optimism
(and also because he did not wish to have her apologize for him) he drew
on his slender bank-account for funds to provide himself with a
carefully tailored suit of clothes and a new hat.

"How well you are looking!" she said, in soft aside, as he met her one
morning soon after. "Your hat is very becoming."

"I am made all over new _inside_--so I hastened to typify the change
exteriorly. I am rejoiced if you like me in my 'glad rags,'" he
replied.

"You are really splendid," she answered, with admiring fervor. "Let us
hurry through to-day; I am tired and want a spin in the park."

"That is for you to say," he answered.

"You are never tired," she sighed. "I wish I had your endurance."

"It is the endurance of desperation. I am staking all I have on this
venture." Then, in low-toned intensity, he added: "It hurts me to have
you forced to go over and over these lines because of the stupidity of a
bunch of cheap little people. Why don't you let me read your part?"

"That would not be fair," she answered, quickly--"neither to them nor to
you. No, I am an actress, and this is a part of my life. We are none of
us exempt from the universal curse."

"Royleston is our curse. Please let me kick him out the stage-door--he
is an insufferable ass, and a bad actor besides."

"He is an ass, but he can act. No, it's too late to change him now.
Wait; be patient. He'll pull up and surprise you at the final
rehearsal."

At four o'clock they were spinning up Fifth Avenue, which resounded with
the hoof-strokes of stately horses, and glittered with the light of
varnished leather. The rehearsal was put far behind them. The day was
glorious November, and the air sparkling without being chill. A sudden
exaltation seized Helen. "It certainly is a beautiful world--don't you
think so?" she asked.

"I do now; I didn't two weeks ago," he replied, soberly.

"What has brought the change?"

"You have." He looked at her steadily.

She chose to be evasive. "I had a friend some years ago who was in the
deeps of despair becaus