"True, yet I strenuously deny that it was my fault. In fact, I had
firmly determined that we should, and, having been a spoiled child, I
am accustomed to having my own way. This, perhaps, will partially
account for my persistency and for my still being with 'The Heart of
the World.' But all else aside, I early became intensely interested in
your work, Miss Norvell, instantly recognizing that it required no
common degree of ability to yield dignity to so poor a thing as the
play in which you appear. I began to study you and your
interpretation; I never tired of noting those little fresh touches with
which you constantly succeeded in embellishing your lines and your
'business,' and how clearly your conception of character stood forth
against the crude background of those mummers surrounding you. It was
a lesson in interpretative art to me, and one I never wearied of.
Then, I must likewise confess, something else occurred."

He paused, looking aside at her, and, as though she felt the spell of
that glance, she turned her own face, brightened by such earnest words
of praise, their eyes meeting frankly.

"What?"

"The most natural thing in the world--my admiration for the art only
served to increase my early interest in the artist. I began to feel
drawn not only to the actress but to the woman," he said gravely.

Her eyes never faltered, but faced him bravely, although her cheeks
were like poppies, and her lips faltered in their first bold effort at
swift reply.