seemed to be some strange power inside the woman. Surely her will
guided her feet! The necessity for physical effort never once
appeared. Notwithstanding the slight prejudice which he had felt
against her, it was impossible to keep his admiration altogether
in check. The fascination of her wonderful presence, and then her
glorious voice, moved him with the rest of the audience. He
clapped as the others did at the end of the first act, and he
leaned forward just as eagerly to catch a glimpse of her when she
reappeared and stood there with that marvelous smile upon her lips,
accepting with faint, deprecating gratitude the homage of the
packed house.

Just before the curtain rose upon the second act, there was a knock
at his box door. One of the attendants ushered in a short man of
somewhat remarkable personality. He was barely five feet in height,
and an extremely fat neck and a corpulent body gave him almost the
appearance of a hunchback. He had black, beady eyes, a black
moustache fiercely turned up, and sallow skin. His white gloves
had curious stitchings on the back not common in England, and his
silk hat, exceedingly glossy, had wider brims than are usually
associated with Bond Street.

Laverick half rose, but the little man spread out one hand and
commenced to speak. His accent was foreign, but, if not an
Englishman, he at any rate spoke the language with confidence.

"My dear sir," he began, "I owe you many apologies. It was
Mademoiselle Idiale's wish that I should make your acquaintance.
My name is Lassen. I have the fortune to be Mademoiselle's business
manager.