"Do you mean that you wish me to give up the box?"

"You know what I mean."

Hal was thoughtful a moment, and then remarked with sudden glee:

"I know what I'll do. I'll take the Three Graces, and persuade Quin's
aunt to come as chaperone. Then we'll all have supper with Lorraine
afterwards. You shall have a nice, quiet, interesting evening with
Doris, and I'll get two stalls for you for another night."

She moved about, gathering up her things.

"You don't know Quin's aunt, Lady Bounce, do you? She's the dearest
old soul, and she loves a theatre. Night-night, old boy; don't keep
Doris too long near the canal, in case you are taken with my
inclination"; and she went gaily off, humming a popular air.

Dudley read through his letters without grasping any of their contents.
For the first time Hal's attitude to Doris seriously worried him, and
he felt vaguely there was trouble ahead.

But when Thursday came, and they were together, she again had the same
pleasing effect upon his senses, and he let himself be persuaded that
if Hal grew to know her better, she could not choose but grow fond of
her.

In the meantime a group in the royal box at the Greenway Theatre was
causing no small interest to a crowded house.