e. But the book is so intimate that I feel
consciously, or otherwise, the woman has written herself into
'Francesca.'"

"You may be approaching an awful shock, my dear Jarvis, when you meet
her."

"I think not."

"These author folk! She'll be a middle-aged dowd, mark my words."

He rose indignantly, and put the last sheets of the manuscript away. She
watched him, smiling.

"Shall you go to New York to-morrow?"

"Yes, if I can get an appointment by wire. I am going to see about it
now."

"I do hope he will be sensible enough to put it on right away."

"He told me to rush it. I think he means an immediate production."

"The end of our work together," mused Bambi.

He turned to her quickly.

"You care?"

"Don't you?"

"It has really been your work, Bambi."

It was her turn to be startled, but evidently he had no ulterior
meaning.

"Not at all. I think it is wonderful how well we work together,
considering----"

"Considering?" he insisted.

"Oh, our difference in point of view, and, oh, everything!" she added.

"It would disappoint you if it were our last work together?"

"What an idea, Jarvis! I look forward to years and years of annual
success by the Jocelyns."

He frowned uncomfortably, as if to speak, thought better of it, and kept
silence.

"I'll go send my wire," he said. She kissed her finger tips to his
receding back. Later, too, she went to the telegraph office and sent the
following wire.

"_Mr. Charles Frohman:_

"See Jarvis, if possible, to-morrow. Play finished. Sure success.

"FRANCESCA JOCELYN."

The secretary answered Jarvis's wire at once, making the appointment at
eleven o'clock on the morrow.

"It seems incredible that anything could run as smoothly as this for
me," said Jarvis, as he read the dispatch.

"That's because I'm in it," boasted Bambi, with a touch of her old
impudence. "I'm your mascot."

"That must be it."

"It means a midnight train for you, to make it comfortably. Do you
suppose you will stay more than a day?"

"I should think not. I don't know."

Ardelia came in with a yellow envelope.

"Sumpin' doin' roun' dis heah house. Telegram boy des' a-ringin' at de'
do' bell stiddy."

"For me?" said Bambi.

"_Mrs. Jarvis Jocelyn, Sunny side, New York._

"Mr. Frohman will see you at three o'clock to-morrow."

Bambi gazed at it a moment, a bit dazed, then she laughed.

"Anything the matter?" Jarvis inquired.