any more. It will be your turn
to-morrow, before the New Trickers. To-morrow! Every night!"

"Every night?" asked Lily, still incredulous and yet transfigured with
hope. "You're saying that, Jimmy; but...."

"Do you doubt my word, Lily?" he replied, pressing her gently to him.
"What, I, your best friend, your only friend ... I who ... haven't I
always loved you, Lily? Do you think I've changed?... I love you more than
ever I did! I will explain everything later. And you doubt me ... who
would give my life for you; yes, life without you means nothing to me,"
continued Jimmy, in a stifled voice and clasping Lily in his arms.

Lily quivered in his embrace, hid her blushing features on his breast,
where she heard great dull throbs. She trembled from head to foot. Her
quickened senses seemed to perceive everything now; the passing
indisposition from which she had suffered, without knowing it, the light
fumes of the champagne: all that had suddenly gone, was far away; she had
never felt more lucid; she saw, she understood and was overcome with
delight, overcome with a delight beside which her enthusiasm of the
previous day seemed dark and dreary. The ardor of her eighteen years
swelled her breast. Success, in any case! To-morrow! And that man was
hers, that heart was hers! It was a dream, an enchantment! Her head rolled
back, a smile drew up her lips, her eyes, through her tangled curls,
seemed all ablaze. Jimmy bent his glowing face over her. Lily, on the
point of swooning, raised her lips to his.

Vanished around them the low ceiling, the scratched walls, the shabby
rags. Standing on the wretched spangles that strewed the dusty floor,
Lily, drunk with joy ... Jimmy, distraught with pride ... seemed like
youth and love, in mid-sky, among the stars!

CURTAIN

[Illustration: Lily quivered in his embrace.]

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