is, in public."

"The terms are not fair."

"That may be true, but they make the wheels of the social organization
run smoother. For instance, if I met a strange woman and she told me
that I was handsome, I shouldn't be able to speak again the whole
evening. On the other hand, a beautiful woman, after you say that you
are delighted to meet her, expects the very next remark to concern her
good looks."

"Your insight is truly remarkable," she said, the dimple continuing its
elusive manoeuvres. "Hush; here comes Carmen."

And our voices grew faint in the swell of melody. Mrs. Wentworth was
entranced; her daughter was fondly gazing at the back of her fiancé's
head; Phyllis had turned her face from me to the stage. As for myself,
I was not particularly interested in the cigarette girl. It was
running through my head that the hour had arrived. I patted my gloves
for a moment, then I drew a long breath.

"Phyllis!" said I. There was a quaver in my voice. Perhaps I had not
spoken loud enough. "Phyllis!" said I again.

She turned quickly and gave me an inquiring and at the same time
nervous glance.

"What is it?"

"I want to tell you something I have never dared to tell you till now,"