He concluded to do everything he could to win her good graces, and then question her again about the will and the property. Perhaps he might be able, he thought, to get control of the money lying in the bank, which amounted to about thirty thousand dollars. "Once I get control of that," he told himself, "Robert can whistle for his share. I'll run away to Europe before I'll give it up." The first thing he did was to buy Mrs. Talbot a new bonnet, since he had heard that a woman will be pleased over a new bonnet, if over nothing else. The lady, however, received the gift rather coldly. "It is very nice," she said. "But I do not need it, James." "Never mind, my love, I want my wife to look as good as or better than any lady in Granville." "Thank you, but I never tried to set the fashion." "I know that. But you should--with so much money behind you." "The money is for Robert, not for me." And Mrs. Talbot sighed as she thought of her son, and wondered how he was faring. "Always the boy," thought James Talbot savagely. "Will she never forget him?" "There is going to be a play at the opera house to-night," he said sweetly. "I would like you to go. You can wear the new bonnet, if you will." "Thank you. What is the play, James?" "'All for Love,' a romance of high life in New York. The newspaper says it is a good play." "The newspapers cannot always be depended upon. Do you know anything of the company?" "It is the Dixon Combination Comedy Company of Chicago." "I never heard of it." "I am afraid, my love, that you do not keep very good track of theatrical affairs." "I like to read about the good ones in the papers." "This company has some very good advertising. One of the bills says they carry ten star actors and actresses. I am sure you will like the play." "I will go if you wish me to," answered Mrs. Talbot, although she was doubtful if she would enjoy the performance. During the time Mr. Frost had been living, husband and wife had gone to both the theater and to the concert, but only to the very best. But Mr. Talbot had no taste for such things, and an ordinary performance pleased him about as well as one which was far superior. There had been no show in Granville for over two weeks. Consequently when the doors of the opera house were opened that night, the fair-sized hall became crowded in short order. The Dixon Combination Comedy Company was entirely unknown, and for good reason--it had never existed until two weeks previous to the opening at Granville. Jack Dixon, the manager, had been a "hanger-on" among theatrical people for several years, and having received several hundred dollars through the death of a rich aunt, had at once set to work to put a company of his own on the road. The man meant well, but he knew very little about the business, as was proved by his hiring Livingston Palmer and several others who were no better actors.