“I’m so sorry to trouble you,” she said. “I’m afraid our introduction’s a trifle unconventional, but I’m in rather a pickle. You see, I want to go to London to-night. In fact, I must go to London, and there are no trains till to-morrow. I have a friend who’s---- But there, read my telegram. It’ll save explan---- to London to-night. In fact, I must go to London, and there are no trains till to-morrow. I have a friend who’s---- But there, read my telegram. It’ll save explanations.” He took it from her hand and read: “_Dear little D.--Got to sail New York to-morrow. Train leaves Euston at twelve. Have booked your berth. Ask for a man at Pilgrims’ Inn with telegram signed Madame Josephine. Madame Josephine says, if you ask him nicely, he’ll bring you to London in his car. Tell him she suggested. Awful sorry to rush you. Real reason Horace too pressing. My excuse engagement with Freelevy. Love and kisses. Fluffy._” As he reached the end, she came close and took it from him. He could hear the circlet about her waist jingle; her breath touched him. “Your hand’s trembling most awfully.” she laughed. “Is it too much of a shock?” And then, before he could answer: “Madame Josephine keeps The Beauty Palace. We go there to be glorified. You know Madame Josephine, don’t you?” “Yes.” His voice hardly came above a whisper. “Then, you are the man?” Was he the man? He wanted to tell her. He had planned this meeting so often--staged it with such wealth of romance and tenderness. And this was how it had happened! “Then, you are the man?” Perhaps his nod didn’t carry sufficient enthusiasm. She began to explain and apologize. She made the babies come into her gray eyes, the way she used to as a child when she wanted anything. “I know it’s a lot to ask of a stranger, robbing him of his night’s rest and all. But you see I can’t help it. My friend, Fluffy, is an actress and---- Well, you know what actresses are--she’s very temperamental Of course that part about Freelevy may be true. He’s the great American producer. She wouldn’t tell a downright fib, I’m sure. But the part about Horace is truer; I expect he’s wanting to marry her and--and the only way she can think of escaping him and not hurting his feelings---- You understand what I mean, don’t you? As for me, I have a beautiful mother in America who let me come abroad with Fluffy; so of course I have to go back with her. You see, I’m not an actress yet--I’m only an amateur.” She rounded her eyes and made them very appealing. “If I don’t sail to-morrow, I’ll have to go back unchaperoned, and that---- Well, it wouldn’t be quite proper for a young girl. So you will take me to London to-night, won’t you?”