"No," smilingly, "I have advanced beyond that stage of development, although the mystery of some womanly natures may always remain beyond me. But can I ask you a somewhat personal question, also?" "Most assuredly, yet I expressly reserve the privilege of refusing a direct reply." "Is Beth Norvell your real, or merely your stage name?" "Why do you ask? That is a secret which, I believe, an actress is privileged to keep inviolate." "For one particular reason--because I cannot escape a vague impression that somewhere we have met before." She did not respond immediately, her gloved fingers perceptibly tightening about the prayer-book, her eyes carefully avoiding his own. "You are mistaken in that, for we have never met," she said slowly, and with emphasis. "Moreover, Beth Norvell is my stage name, but in part it is my true name also." Suddenly she paused and glanced aside at him. "I have spoken with unusual frankness to you this morning, Mr. Winston. Most people, I imagine, find me diffident and uncommunicative--perhaps I appear according to my varying moods. But I have been lonely, and in some way you have inspired my confidence and unlocked my life. I believe you to be a man worthy of trust, and because I thus believe I am now going to request you not to ask me any more. My past life has not been so bright that I enjoy dwelling upon it. I have chosen rather to forget it entirely, and live merely for the future." They were standing before the door of the ladies' entrance to the hotel by this time, and the young man lifted his hat gravely. "Your wish shall certainly be respected," he said with courtesy, "yet that does not necessarily mean that our friendship is to end here." Her face became transfigured by a sudden smile, and she impulsively extended her hand. "Assuredly not, if you can withstand my vagaries. I have never made friends easily, and am the greater surprised at my unceremonious frankness with you. Yet that only makes it harder to yield up a friendship when once formed. Do you intend, then, to remain with the company? I have no choice, but you have the whole world." "Yet, my intense devotion to the art of the Thespian holds me captive." Their eyes met smilingly, and the next instant the door closed quietly between them.