he courage of his convictions, in spite of his truculent
self-assurance, for the simple reason that he wasn't capable of it.

The lady was, he decided by virtue of his stolen glances, about
twenty-five years old, although her poise of manner indicated a composure
beyond her years. And she was tall and slender, with a straight, regular
profile, and dark hair which fell back from her face in soft natural
waves, and was very simply arranged. She had, in fact, a simplicity,
almost an austerity of what one might call personal effect, which formed
a contrast, certainly interesting and to Hayden at least as certainly
fascinating, between herself as she impressed one and her very elaborate
and striking costume.

Her wonderful gown--even Hayden's untutored masculine senses appreciated
its wonderfulness--was of some clinging green material which embraced her
in certain faultless lines and folds of consummate art. About the hem it
was embroidered with silver butterflies, irregularly disposed yet all
seeming to flutter upward as if in the effort to reach her knees. These
also decorated her low corsage and spread their wings upon her sleeves.
She wore no jewels; and her only ornament was a large butterfly in
silver, upon her breast, with diamond- and ruby-studded wings and ruby
eyes.

A butterfly! Was he dreaming? Had he thought so much of butterflies that
he saw them everywhere? For since his return from South America, Hayden
had exhibited a marked interest in butterflies, although, curiously
enough, this enthusiasm was not in the least entomological.

But to return to the lady. One foot was thrust a little from her gown,
and Hayden was quick to notice that it was encased in a green satin
slipper with a buckle which was a replica of the butterfly on her breast,
only smaller in size. The whole idea of her costume struck him as
fanciful, original and charming; and then--and then--it was only a
coincidence, of course; but it started a train of thought which gradually
merged into giddier hopes.

His admiration of her seemed to be universal, at least within the
confines of the opera-house, for it was evident that either the lady or
her gown, or both, attracted a vast deal of attention to which she on her
part was either entirely oblivious or else so accustomed as to be
indifferent. At last, she turned toward Hayden a little with a slight
change in her expression which he translated as annoyance. He was at once
overcome with a swift