It was certainly a diaphanous thing of many layers of chiffon, graduating in colour from flame to palest apricot pink. It hung straight and simple on Bambi's lithe figure, bringing out all the colour, the dash, the fire-like quality in the girl's personality. The flush in her cheeks, the glow in her eyes, even the little curls, were like twisted tongues of flame. She whirled for Ardelia's inspection. "I know dat ain't no decent dress, but yo' sho' is beautiful as Pottypar's wife." "Who's she?" "She's in the Bible!" Bambi laughed. "I look like the 'fire of spring,'" she nodded to her reflection. "Of course I'm beautiful! This is the biggest, happiest night of my life!" A boy came for the Professor's clothes, and a little later that distracted gentleman presented himself to have his tie arranged, and to be looked over generally in case of omissions. "My dear!" he exclaimed at sight of his daughter. "_Aren't_ I wonderful?" He put his hand under her chin and tipped her face to him. "There is something about you to-night--elemental is the word--fire, water, and air." She hugged him. "Oh, but you've got a surprise coming to you this night. You are about to discover other unsuspected elements in your offspring." "My dear, I'm so excited now I'm counting backward. Don't explode anything on me or I'll lose control." "The secret is coming out to-night." "Is it painful?" "No, it's heavenly!" Jarvis rapped. "May I come in?" "Yes." He stood on the threshold a moment, a truly magnificent figure in his evening clothes. "Jarvis!" breathed Bambi. "Bambi!" exclaimed Jarvis, and they stood a-gaze. She recovered first. "Do you like me?" she coquetted. He walked about her slowly, considering her from all sides. "Ariel!" he said at last. "Oh, thank you, Apollo," she laughed, to cover the lump in her throat at his awed admiration. They sent Ardelia's supper up to her, and the rest of them made an attempt at dining, but nobody could eat a thing. Bambi talked incessantly from excitement, and all eyes in the dining-room were focussed upon her. Ardelia was in a tremor of pride when they went upstairs again. She shone like ebony, and grinned like a Hindoo idol. They admired her, to her heart's content, and she descended to the cab in a state of sinful pride. Although they were early, the motors were already unloading before the theatre. They were to sit in the stage box, and as soon as the rest of them were seated Bambi went back on the stage to say good-evening to the company. The first-night excitement prevailed back there. Every member of the company was dressed and made up a good half hour too soon. They all assured the perturbed author that she need have no fears, everything would go off in fine shape. Somewhat relieved, she started to go out front, when she ran into Mr. Frohman. "Good-evening. If you are as well as you look, you're all right," he smiled at her. "I feel like a loaded mine about to blow to pieces," she answered.