ade his hasty journey? To be treated with
indifference by a wandering player; he, the patroon, the unsuccessful
suitor of a stroller! She, who appeared in taverns, in barns, perhaps,
was as cold and proud as any fine lady, untroubled about the morrow,
and, as he weighed this phase of the matter, the land baron knew not
whether he loved her most for her beauty or hated her for the slight
she put upon him. But love or hate, it was all one, and he told
himself he would see the adventure to the end.

"How do you do, Mr. Mauville?" said a gay but hushed voice,
interrupting his ruminations, and Susan, in a short skirt and bright
stockings, greeted him.

"The better for seeing you, Mistress Susan." Nonchalantly surveying
her from head to foot.

She bore his glance with the assurance of a pretty woman who knows she
is looking her best.

"Pooh!" Curtesying disdainfully. "I don't believe you! You came to see
some one else. Well"--lightly--"she is already engrossed."

"Really?" said the land baron.

"Yes. You understand? He follows her with his every glance," she added
roguishly. Susan was never averse to straining the truth a little when
it served her purpose.

"I should infer he was following her with more than his eyes,"
retorted the master of the manor dryly.

Susan tapped the stage viciously with a little foot. "She's a lovely
girl," she continued, drawing cabalistic figures with the provoking
slipper.

"You are piqued?" he said, watching her skeptically.

"Not at all." Quickly, startled by his blunt accusation.

"Not a little jealous?" he persisted playfully.

"Jealous?" Then with a frown, hesitatingly: "Well, she is given
prominence in the plays and--"

"--You would not be subordinated, if she were not in the company?
Apart from this, you are fond of her?"

The foot ceased its tracing and rested firmly on the floor.

"I hate her!" snapped Susan, angered by this baiting. No sooner had
she spoken than she regretted her outburst. "How you draw one out! I
was only joking--though she does have the best parts and we take what
we can get!"

"But she's a lovely girl!" concluded the land baron. Susan's eyes
flashed angrily.

"How clever of you! You twist and turn one's words about and give
them a different meaning from what was intended. If I wanted to catch
you up--"

"A truce!" he exclaimed. "Let us take each other seriously, hereafter.
Is it agreed?" She nodded. "Well, seriously, you can help me and help