d stiffly.

"Yes, madame, I have that honour."

"I am so very sorry. I do hope you are not hurt."

"I am only shaken, thank you."

She looked into the cab. "My dear," she purred, "I am so terribly
sorry. I hope you were not hurt either. I cannot say--"

"No, I'm all right, thank you. I'll get out."

Then she fainted. I caught her and carried her to the limousine. When
I had set her on the deep seat, I turned to the lady.

"I do not know where she lives," I said. "We have only met casually."

"A physician?" she queried. "Had she better--"

"I don't think it is a case for a doctor. She has only fainted.
Perhaps you--"

"I will attend to her, and when we get to the Opera House, my maid--"

She turned to the footman and seemed to tell him to stay behind and see
to the cabman and the police, who had come up. Then she stepped into
the car, and a moment later we were slipping silently up the street.
By the lights in the car, I could see that our friend was a handsome
woman of perhaps thirty-eight. She was almost entirely enveloped in a
magnificent sable coat: her head was bare. The great thing about her
was her exquisite voice. While her fingers were busy about the girl's
hat and throat, the latter opened her eyes. Then she sat up and put her
hand to her head.

"No, lean back, my dear," said our hostess. "I will spray you."

She sprayed her with eau-de-Cologne.

"That's lovely," said the girl, with closed eyes. "Thank you so much."

The other stopped for a moment to take off the jaunty little hat and
lightly push the dark hair away from the white temples.

The girl thanked her with a smile. Then she started up again. "Oh,
but where is--"

She saw me, and stopped, colouring.

"He is here, in the car."

She closed her eyes once more, and the colour had faded from her cheeks
before she spoke again. "Where are we going?" she said.

"To the Opera House, dear. You see, I am singing there. I would take
you home, but I am late now. My maid, she will make you comfortable. I
have nice rooms at the theatre, quite an apartment." She turned to me.

"And you will come, too, please. There is plenty of room. Besides she
is in your charge."

"Of course," said I. "Thank you very much."

As she had said, a regular little suite had been allotted to our
hostess at the Opera House. As well as the dressingroom, there was a
bathroom and a large sitting-room, with flowers everywhere, and
beautifully furn