it at all. It was
precisely what his wife had expected, and as she looked at him as he
spoke, there was a different expression on her face from that which it
would have worn a few months back. That vague and wondering look was
less noticeable and an element of comprehendingness that made her eyes
look hard now struggled with it sometimes.

After the visit of Jannish and his wife other people called, and
immediately Mrs. Dallas was drifting in a stream of musical engagements
and rehearsals that took up most of her time, and formed a strong
contrast to her former mode of life. She had opportunities to indulge
her taste for dress and to wear some of the charming costumes which
belonged to her trousseau--bought with what girlish ardor, and then laid
away out of sight! She soon came to be admired for her dressing, as
well as her beauty and her voice, and as is usual in such cases, the men
regarded her with more favor and less suspicion than the women. The good
will of the latter sex was, however, secured to some extent, when it was
discovered that the prima donna, who they all perceived was to make
their opera a great success and the envy of all sister cities with
aspiring musical _coteries_, was apparently indifferent to the
attentions of the men, if not, indeed, embarrassed by them. She never
went anywhere, to rehearsals or resorts of any kind, public or private,
without her husband, no matter who tried to entice her away. She never
left his side, except under the necessity of going through her part,
and then she returned to him unvaryingly. He was good-looking and
well-dressed, and some of the company of both sexes made an effort to
make something out of him, but he always seemed surprised when he was
spoken to, and to find it a trouble to respond. He was too free from
self-consciousness to be awkward, and would sit passive, twirling his
mustache and looking on, and was apparently as satisfied to be a
spectator of this performance as to go to see something professional.
He had grown accustomed to sameness, perhaps, for he never seemed to
object to it.

To see his wife the object of enthusiastic adulation on all sides,
whether sincere or put on of necessity, as it was by some of the
company, appeared to arouse in the husband no emotions of either
satisfaction or displeasure.

V.

The great occasion came. The evening's entertainment rose, minute by
minute, to its climax of glory, on which the curtain fell, ami