er seen
me before to-day. I am Miss Donne; I am studying to be an opera-singer,
and I came here for advice. I am English. I believe that is all.'

They looked at each other and smiled. Margaret was certainly not
prepossessed in the man's favour at first sight. She detested
over-dressed men, men who wore turquoise rings, and men who had oily
voices; but it was perfectly clear to her that Logotheti was a man of
the world, who knew a lady when he met one, no matter where, and meant
to behave with her precisely as if he had been introduced to her in
Mrs. Rushmore's drawing-room.

'It is my turn to thank you,' he said, acknowledging with a little bow
the favour she had conferred in telling him who she was. 'I fancy you
have not yet seen much of theatrical people, off the stage. Have you?'

No,' answered Margaret. 'Why do you ask?'

'I wonder whether you will like them when you do,' said Logotheti.

'I never thought of it. Is Madame Bonanni a good type of them?'

'No,' Logotheti answered, after a moment's reflection. 'I don't think
she is. None of the great ones are. They all have something original,
personal, dominating, about them. That is the reason why they are
great. I was thinking of the average singer you will have to do with if
you really sing in opera. As for Madame Bonanni, she has a heart of
pure gold. We are old friends, and I know her well.'

'I can quite believe that she is kind-hearted,' Margaret answered. But
don't you think, perhaps, that she is just a little too much so?'

'How do you mean?'

'That she might be too kind to tell a beginner just what she really
thinks?'

'No, indeed.' Logotheti laughed at the idea. 'You would not think so if
you knew how many poor girls she sends away in tears because she tells
them the honest truth, that they have neither voice nor talent, and
will fail miserably if they go on. That is real kindness after all!
Have you sung to her?'

'Yes,' answered Margaret.

'May I ask what she said? I know her so well that I can perhaps be of
use to you. Sometimes, for instance, she says nothing at all. That
means that there may be a chance of success but that she herself is not
sure.'

'She kissed me on both cheeks,' Margaret said with a laugh, 'and she
talked about my _debut_.'

'Then I should advise you to make your _debut_ at once,' Logotheti
answered. 'She means that you will have a very great success.'

'Do you really think so?' asked Margaret, much pleased.

'I