This time I certainly scored. She looked at me fixedly for a moment. Then she laughed softly. "I want a pearl necklace," she said. "What about the one you have on?" She held it out toward me. "Imitations, unfortunately," she sighed. "They may look very nice, but they don't feel like the real thing." "Why can't I go to the opera with you?" I suggested. "Because there are no vacant seats anywhere near ours," she replied. "You see we happen to know whom we are going to sit near." "Anyhow, I think I shall go," I decided, "I may be able to come and talk to you between the acts at any rate." Mr. Parker, having finished giving his orders, joined in the conversation, and we dined together quite cheerily. For educated Americans they seemed very ignorant of English life, and I was not surprised to hear that it was their first visit to Europe. They listened with interest to a great deal that I told them. It was only as we were preparing to leave the place that I asked Mr. Parker a definite question. "Tell me," I whispered, "have you really any plans for to-night?" He nodded. "Sure! We are in luck just now. There's nothing like backing it." "Are those fellows I saw you with this morning at the Milan in it? If so I am going to take Miss Parker away. There are limits--" He patted me on the back. "That little affair is off for to-night at any rate. A lady we are very anxious to meet is going to the opera. The little girl wants a pearl necklace. Well, we shall see!" "You've thought over what I said? Have you mentioned it to her?" "Only kind of hinted at it. It's no good putting it too straight to her. She's got the bit between her teeth and she'll need to be humored." Eve had gone to fetch her cloak and we were alone outside the door. I looked at him steadfastly--he was so very pink and white, so very cheerful, so utterly optimistic! "You've never seen the inside of an English prison, have you, Mr. Parker?" I asked. He stared at me blankly. "I am not thinking about you or myself," I went on. "She's so dainty and sweet! She looks like a child who has never known an hour of rough usage in her life. They wouldn't leave her much of that, you know." I had certainly succeeded in making an impression this time. Mr. Parker's smooth forehead was wrinkled; his face was clouded. "You are right, Mr. Walmsley," he admitted. "I wish--I wish she would listen to reason. We'll have a talk together--the three of us--soon. You've no idea how difficult it is! She doesn't know fear--can't realize danger. Hush! Here she comes. It will only set her against you if she thinks you are trying to influence me behind her back."