“I haven’t a doubt of it. That made him all the more dangerous. I saw you talking with him when I entered the theater this afternoon.” “Oh, did you!” she exclaimed. “Why, I didn’t think you noticed me at all!” “But I did, and I had a talk with Dunton about you.” “About me?” “Yes.” “Goodness! I was not aware I was so important!” “I talked to him plainly, and I fancied my words had some impression. I was astonished when I saw you entering that place in company with him to-night.” “Oh, Mr. Merriwell!” cried the girl, in confusion; “is that a bad place? I didn’t know. I never was in there before! I didn’t know anything about it.” “I believe that is the truth, for you did not seem at all at home in the place. I noticed that while watching you.” “Mr. Dunton said it was a respectable restaurant, and he was so kind to ask me to have a little lunch with him, and he seemed so much like a perfect gentleman, and I didn’t like to refuse, and you did not even give me a look this afternoon, and—and——” “There, there! You have explained it all. I understand it perfectly, my dear Miss—Miss——” “Dow—Dora Dow.” “Dora?” “Yes.” “One of the notes I received to-day was signed Dora.” “I—I wrote it,” confessed the girl, greatly embarrassed. “I thought so.” “You—you didn’t wear—the—the ribbon I sent.” “No.” “Then you did not want to know me?” “My dear girl, I did not believe I would be doing right to encourage you in your folly. It is plain you have some very mistaken ideas in your little head. You said you thought actors perfectly lovely.” “I do.” “Some actors may be, but it is not safe for you to think them all so, and, above all things, it is not safe for you to make the acquaintance of actors as you made that of Douglas Dunton.” “But there’s—there’s no other way to become acquainted with them, is there, Mr. Merriwell?” “I fancy you will be better off if you do not know them.” “I must know them! How can I ever get onto the stage unless I do? Now, tell me that, Frank Merriwell!” “My dear Miss Dow, is it absolutely necessary for you to go on the stage?” “I don’t know that it’s absolutely necessary, but I want to do so. It must be just perfectly lovely to play parts and sing and get flowers and wear diamonds!” “That is how it seems to you. You know nothing of the work and worry of the life, nothing of its uncertainties, its privations. You see the actors dancing and singing and being merry before the footlights, and it seems ‘perfectly lovely.’ You may not know that in hundreds of cases the actresses send themselves the flowers they receive. Their diamonds glitter, but stage diamonds are paste, as a rule. I have no time to tell you all about the hollow mockeries of the life, but I have an opportunity to warn you, if you have a home, to stick by your home, and forever give up the notion of becoming an actress.” The girl pouted.