are you not free to return? There are no ogres nowadays to carry young
ladies off to enchanted palaces and eat them. Come with me to my home in
New York. If I fail in aught I have promised, why, return here."

Mollie brought her two little palms together with an enthusiastic slap.

"I'll do it, Mr. Walraven! I know it's all a dream and an illusion, but
still I'll see the dream to the end; that is, if you can make it all
right with Mr. Harkner, the manager."

"I can make it all right!" exclaimed Mr. Walraven. "Money can do
anything under the sun. He has his price, like other men, and I can pay
it. If Mr. Harkner and I come to terms, will you be ready to start with
me to-morrow, Mollie?"

"Quite ready. But you won't make it right. He will never let me go; you
will see."

"I am not afraid. I will call upon him at once, and after the interview
I will let you know the result. He is in the house now, is he not?"

"Down at the bar, very likely. I will wait for you here."

Mr. Walraven took his hat and left, delighted with his success.

The manager was at the bar, as Miss Dane had predicted, and eyed Mr.
Walraven suspiciously from head to foot when he found his business
concerned his star actress.

He was accustomed to gentlemen falling in love with her, and quite