"You are very kind, Mr. Laverick. I would like to see you again
very soon. You have heard me sing in Samson and Delilah?"

"Not yet, but I am hoping to very shortly."

"To-night," she declared, "you must come to the Opera House. I
leave a box for you at the door. Send me round a note that you
are there, and it is possible that I may see you. It is against
the rules, but for me there are no rules."

Laverick hesitating, she leaned forward and looked into his face.

"You are doing something else?" she protested. "You were, perhaps,
thinking of taking out again the little girl with whom you were
sitting last night?"

"I had half promised - "

"No, no!" she exclaimed, holding his hand tighter. "She is not for
you - that child. She is too young. She knows nothing. Better to
leave her alone. She is not for a man of the world like you. Soon
she would cease to amuse you. You would be dull and she would still
care. Oh, there is so much tragedy in these things, Mr. Laverick
- so much tragedy for the woman! It is she always who suffers. You
will take my advice. You will leave that little girl alone."

Laverick smiled.

"I am afraid," said he, "that I cannot promise that so quickly. You