ghted spot, the pale glow played upon her a
moment, white on her neck, in sheen on the folds of her gown, and then
she stepped into the shadow, where she was met by a tall figure, with
hand eagerly outstretched.

"Mr. Mauville!" she exclaimed, drawing back at the suddenness of the
encounter.

His restless eyes held hers, but his greeting was conventional.

"Did I not say the world was small and that we might meet again?"

"Of course, we are always meeting people and parting from them," she
replied unconcernedly.

He laughed. "With what delightful indifference you say that! You did
not think to see me again?"

"I hadn't thought about it," she answered, frankly, annoyed by his
persistence.

"I am unfortunate!" he said.

Beneath his free gaze she changed color, as though the shadow of a
rose had touched her face.

"You are well?" he continued.

"Yes."

"I need not have asked." His expression conveyed more--so much more,
she bit her lip impatiently. "How do you like the new part?"

"It is hard to tell yet," she answered evasively.

"You would do justice to any role, but I prefer you in a historical or
romantic play, with the picturesque old costumes. If it were in my
domains, you should appear in those dramas, if I had to hang every
justice of the peace in the district."

Her only response was a restless movement and he hastened to add: "I
fear, however, I am detaining you."

He drew aside with such deference to permit her to pass that her
conscience smote her and she was half-minded to turn and leave him
more graciously, but this impulse was succeeded by another feeling,
ill-defined, the prevailing second thought. Had she looked, she would
have seen that her fluttering shawl touched his hand and he quickly
raised it to his lips, releasing it immediately. As it was, she moved
on, unaware of the gesture. The orchestra, or rather string quartet,
had ceased; Hans, a host in himself, a mountain of melody, bowed his
acknowledgments; the footlights glared, the din of voices subsiding;
and the curtain rose.

Remaining in the background, the land baron watched the young girl
approach the entrance to the stage, where she stood, intent, one hand
resting against the scenery, her dress upheld with the other; the
glimmer from the footlights, reflected through the opening, touching
her face; suddenly, with a graceful movement, she vanished, and her
laughing voice seemed to come from afar.

Was it for this he had m