ne when it's
draped for a funeral?" her instructress mocked. "Never, never. I don't
believe you're various: that's not the way I see you. You're pure
tragedy, with _de grands eclats de voix_ in the great style, or you're
nothing."

"Be beautiful--be only that," Peter urged with high interest. "Be only
what you can be so well--something that one may turn to for a glimpse of
perfection, to lift one out of all the vulgarities of the day."

Thus apostrophised the girl broke out with one of the speeches of
Racine's Phaedra, hushing her companions on the instant. "You'll be the
English Rachel," said Basil Dashwood when she stopped.

"Acting in French!" Madame Carre amended. "I don't believe in an English
Rachel."

"I shall have to work it out, what I shall be," Miriam concluded with a
rich pensive effect.

"You're in wonderfully good form to-day," Sherringham said to her; his
appreciation revealing a personal subjection he was unable to conceal
from his companions, much as he wished it.

"I really mean to do everything."

"Very well; after all Garrick did."

"Then I shall be the Garrick of my sex."

"There's a very clever author doing something for me; I should like you
to see it," said Basil Dashwood, addressing himself equally to Miriam
and to her diplomatic friend.

"Ah if you've very clever authors----!" And Madame Carre spun the sound
to the finest satiric thread.

"I shall be very happy to see it," Peter returned.

This response was so benevolent that Basil Dashwood presently began:
"May I ask you at what theatre you've made arrangements?"

Sherringham looked at him a moment. "Come and see me at the embassy and
I'll tell you." Then he added: "I know your sister, Mrs. Lovick."

"So I supposed: that's why I took the liberty of asking such a
question."

"It's no liberty, but Mr. Sherringham doesn't appear to be able to tell
you," said Miriam.

"Well, you know, it's a very curious world, all those theatrical people
over there," Peter conceded.

"Ah don't say anything against them when I'm one of them," Basil
Dashwood laughed.

"I might plead the absence of information," Peter returned, "as Miss
Rooth has neglected to make us acquainted."

Miriam vaguely smiled. "I know you both so little." But she presented
them with a great stately air to each other, and the two men shook hands
while Madame Carre observed them.

"_Tiens_! you gentlemen meet here for the first time? You do right to
become friends