ow, on the previous Sunday, Dove had talked
enthusiastically of an opera-performance, which, if she were not
mistaken, was to take place the following night. Dove had declared that
all musical Leipzig would probably be present in the theatre. Surely
she might risk mentioning this, without fear of another snub.

"I am going to the opera to-morrow night," she said in a small, meek
voice, and was on the verge of tears. Schilsky hardly heard her; Louise
had appeared at the head of the stairs. "The very thing," he said. "I
shall look out for you there, little girl. Good-bye. AUF WIEDERSEHEN!"

He went down the steps, without even raising his hat, and when Louise
came out, he was sauntering towards the building again, as if he had
come from the other end of the street.

Ephie went home in a state of anger and humiliation which was new to
her. For the first few hours, she was resolved never to speak to
Schilsky again. When this mood passed, she made up her mind that he
should atone for his behaviour to the last iota: he should grovel
before her; she would scarcely deign to look at him. But the nearer the
time came for their meeting, the more were her resentful feelings
swallowed up by the wish to see him. She counted off the hours till the
opera commenced; she concocted a scheme to escape Johanna's
surveillance; she had a story ready, if it should be necessary, of how
she had once been introduced to Schilsky. Her fingers trembled with
impatience as she fastened on a pretty new dress, which had just been
sent home: a light, flowered stuff, with narrow bands of black velvet
artfully applied so as to throw the fairness of her hair and skin into
relief.

The consciousness of looking her best gave her manner a light sureness
that was very charming. But from the moment they entered the FOYER,
Ephie's heart began to sink: the crowd was great; she could not see
Schilsky; and in his place came Dove, who was not to be shaken off.
Even Maurice was bad enough--what concern of his was it how she enjoyed
herself? When, finally, she did discover the person she sought, he was
with some one else, and did not see her; and when she had succeeded in
making him look, he frowned, shook his head, and made angry signs that
she was not to speak to him, afterwards going downstairs with the
sallow girl in white. What did it mean? All through the tedious second
act, Ephie wound her handkerchief round and round, and in and out of
her fingers. Would it