Mr. Incoul spoke French with tolerable ease, but having nothing of moment to say, he held his tongue, contenting himself with listening to the words of those who stood about him. And as he listened, the name of Mirette caught his ear. The programme had already informed him that it was she who was to assume the principal rôle in the new ballet, consequently he was not unfamiliar with it, but of the woman herself he knew nothing, and he listened idly, indifferent to ampler information. But at once his interest quickened; his immediate neighbor had mentioned her in connection with one whom he knew. “They came up from Biarritz together,” he heard him say. “She went there with Chose, that Russian.” “Balaguine?” “Precisely.” “What did she do with him?” “Found the Tartar, I fancy.” “And then?” “_Voilà_, this young American is mad about her.” “He is rich then?” “What would you? An American! They are it all.” “Yes, a rich one always wins.” “How mean you?” “This: he plays bac at the Capucines. His banks are fructuous.” “Ah, as to that--” And the first speaker shrugged his shoulders. A rustle circled through the foyer, men stood aside and nodded affably. The lights took on a fairer glow. “Stay,” murmured the second speaker, “she is there.” Through the parting crowd Mirette passed with a carriage such as no queen, save perhaps Semiramis, ever possessed. She moved from the hips, her body was erect and unswayed. It was the perfection of artificial grace. Her features were not regular, but there was an expression in them that stirred the pulse. “_Je suis l’Amour_,” she seemed to say, and to add “_prends garde à toi_.” As she crossed the room men moistened their lips, and when she had gone they found them still parched. Mr. Incoul followed her with his eyes. She had not left him unimpressed, but his impression differed from that of his neighbors. In her face his shrewdness had discerned nothing but the animal and the greed of unsatiated appetites. He watched her pass, and stepped from the group in which he had been standing that he might the better follow her movements.