She spoke simply, and Major Winchester, who was really interested in the play, sat down and replied with his ordinary natural and simple cordiality. "Yes, things have improved wonderfully these last few days," he said. "I think it often is so in these cases. Amateurs warm to the work, and a sense of desperation makes even the weaker members forget _themselves_ at the last, which, after all, is half the battle." He smiled as he spoke, for there flitted across his mind's eye several amusing episodes in the recent struggles after dramatic art. "Your daughter," he went on, "has really improved surprisingly. I own I was rather nervous about her till quite at the end. But it went so very fairly to-night that I think we need have no misgivings. Besides, after all, there is no terribly critical audience to fear; every one will, I hope, _wish_ to be pleased." Mrs Wentworth's expression took a touch of offence at Major Winchester's tone about Imogen. "I heard several people saying that `Valesca' was the gem of it all," she said, and Rex, glancing at her, detected his mistake. "She really is too silly," he reflected; "she cannot imagine that child, pretty as she is, to be a Mrs Siddons in embryo." But his quick kind-heartedness made him add aloud: "I can well believe that, as far as _appearance_ goes, that opinion will be pretty general. The dress, too, is remarkably becoming to Im--to Miss Wentworth. Still, dramatic power, even in a small degree, is a distinct _gift_, like talent for music, sculpture, or any art. It cannot be acquired, though it may be developed." He was already rather beyond his hearer's range, though his words were intended as an explanation. But they had the effect of smoothing down her ruffled plumage--or rather, perhaps, his manner did so. "Of course, he does not want me to imagine for an instant that he _could_ say anything derogatory to Imogen," she reflected. "And after all, unless he felt quite a peculiar interest in her, he would not speak so frankly," and her tone was quite itself again as she replied. "I am sure Imogen should be, and is, most grateful to _you_, Major Winchester. She has said ever so many times that she never could have managed it but for your help. _I_ think she acted beautifully to-night,"--and the simplicity with which she said this pleased Rex--"but then I am not nearly clever enough to be a judge." "I myself did really think it very--extremely pretty," he said. "And it has been a great pleasure to me to help her, I need scarcely assure you."