“I do not wish to flatter you, but I think you play beautifully. I do not mean to say that I have never heard any one play the violin better--that would be ridiculous. Your playing is full of emotion. That lovely passage thrilled me; I do not know why, nor can I exactly explain my feeling--nerves perhaps. Now I come to think of it I am ashamed. It was the summer evening, the perfume of those flowers; it was--” Helen fixed her eyes on Frank, as if she would like to say, “It was you.” With a sigh she said: “It was the music.” Then as if she feared she was showing too plainly what was passing in her mind, she said: “But it is nearly nine o'clock. Perhaps you would like to go to the theatre, the ticket for the box is on the table. I should not be more than a few minutes changing my dress. Would you like to go?” “I don't much mind, just as you like. I heard that the new burlesque was very amusing.” “Then let us go.” Both regretted their words; and, embarrassed, each waited for the other to say No, let us stay here, it is far sweeter here. But it was difficult to draw back now without avowal. Helen had rung for her maid. She put on a white satin. Her opera cloak was edged with deep soft fur, and she came into the room putting on her long tan gloves. “Were you ever in love?” Helen asked, and she leaned back behind the curtain of the box out of sight of the audience. “I suppose I have been in love; but why do you ask?” “It just occurred to me.” “I have never been in love with a ballet girl, if you mean that.” In blue tights and symmetrical rows the legs of the chorus ladies were arranged about the stage; the low comedians cracked jokes close to the footlights; the stalls laughed, the pit applauded. “Haven't you? Is that really so? I shouldn't think it would be nice. And yet, if all we hear is true, young men do make love to low women; I'm not speaking now of ballet girls, but of cooks and housemaids. A lady, a friend of mine, cannot keep a housemaid under fifty in her house on account of her son, and she sent him to Eton.” “Yes, I know; I have heard of such things, but I never could understand.” “I am glad. But you say you have been in love. Tell me all about it. I want to know. What was she like? Was she fair or dark?” “Fair. She used to wear a Gainsborough hat.” “Did you like those great hats?” “I did on her.” “I suppose she was tall, then.” “No, she was short.” “Then I don't see how she would wear a Gainsborough hat.” “She did, and looked exquisite in it too.” “I suppose you were very much in love with her?” “Yes; we were engaged, and going to be married.” “Why was it broken off?” “Her father was a brute.” “Fathers generally are brutes on such occasions, and there are generally excellent reasons for their brutality.” “Husbands, too, are brutes, and if all I have heard is correct, there are excellent reasons for their brutality.”