creatures, to have her speak to him, smile at him! If ever a man was
intoxicated, Joe was. Mrs. Hamilton was divided between shame at the
clothes of some of the women and delight with the music. Her companion
was busy pointing out who this and that actress was, and giving
jelly-like appreciation to the doings on the stage.

Mr. Thomas was the only cool one in the party. He was quietly taking
stock of his young companion,--of her innocence and charm. She was a
pretty girl, little and dainty, but well developed for her age. Her hair
was very black and wavy, and some strain of the South's chivalric blood,
which is so curiously mingled with the African in the veins of most
coloured people, had tinged her skin to an olive hue.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" he leaned over and whispered to her. His
voice was very confidential and his lips near her ear, but she did not
notice.

"Oh, yes," she answered, "this is grand. How I 'd like to be an actress
and be up there!"

"Maybe you will some day."

"Oh, no, I 'm not smart enough."

"We 'll see," he said wisely; "I know a thing or two."

Between the first and second acts a number of Thomas's friends strolled
up to where he sat and began talking, and again Kitty's embarrassment
took possession of her as they were introduced one by one. They treated
her with a half-courteous familiarity that made her blush. Her mother