"They're here, you know. Docked this morning, almost twenty-four hours ahead of schedule. They--they would have come up immediately, but customs detained them three hours. They are at the hotel now and won't be up until supper. It's all so confusing. The reporters and photographers on their trail. He won't let anyone at her until she's rested. I talked to him over the telephone. His voice is--hairy." "I've never seen you look so nice, Miss Neugass." "If I stop to think, I'll scream." "Then you mustn't stop, dear." "You should see my father; he can't sit still. I never realized how little and--old he's getting until I put his black suit on him. He's so full of pride he--Oh, what a mockery--for him to dare to come here--home--with her." "Miss Neugass--this is not the time. Not now." A cocaine sort of courage seemed to lock her face back into its rather nondescript immobility. "You're right," she said. "I'm acting like a fool," and rose. "What I came in to say, get into that little pink dress of yours about nine-thirty and I may be able to manage it for you to-night. Two minutes of his time may mean everything to you and nothing to him." Lilly flashed to her feet. "To-night!" "Keep your head. Sing the 'Jewel Song.' It's always a good, showy standby. Let go--the way I heard you practice the other Sunday morning--and forget that it's Auchinloss or anyone else listening to you." "No, no, not to-night, Miss Neugass. I--I'm not prepared. It's too sudden." "It's as good as any other time. Besides, to-night we have him here, and there is no telling when we will again. This isn't what you would call the ideal headquarters for a pair of celebrities. I suppose, if the truth is known, Millie dreads bringing him here at all. Besides, they leave to-morrow for Boston, and with the line-up of entertainments the newspapers say are planned for them, there is no telling when we will get him alone again." "I'm not in voice these days. It's all roughened up since I'm singing downtown. I--oh, I'm not ready to-night, Miss Neugass." "Nonsense! Don't ask Opportunity to wait outside when he knocks. He may move on and not return." "I--I'm so frightened. I've such--such odds against me--right now. What if he only rubs his hands and says, 'very nice'? What if--" "That's where you'll have to swallow your medicine. After all, even the great Auchinloss represents only one man's opinion." "But his judgment has proved itself--time and time again." "That's why you have the chance to-night that comes once in a lifetime. Take it." "I will!" CHAPTER XXII It was just before midnight, after a four-hour period of waiting in the pink mull dress, when came the summons which brought Lilly into the presence of Felix Auchinloss. Cramped from the long period of taut waiting, she was so dry of throat that in spite of constantly sipped water she could only gulp her reply to Miss Neugass's knock and eagerly inserted head.