"Such nonsense. Besides, I'd rather hear what Laura Keene is
saying than listen to you."

"Do you mean it?"

"Incredible as it may sound, Mr. Berkley, I really do."

He dropped back in the box. Camilla laid her painted fan across
his arm.

"Isn't Ailsa Paige the most enchanting creature you ever saw? I
told you so! _Isn't_ she?"

"Except one. I was looking at some pictures of her a half an hour
ago."

"She must be very beautiful," sighed Camilla.

"She was."

"Oh. . . . Is she dead?"

"Murdered."

Camilla looked at the stage in horrified silence. Later she
touched him again on the arm, timidly.

"Are you not well, Mr. Berkley?"

"Perfectly. Why?"