Lady Dinsmore threw up a protesting hand. "Pray spare me," she begged. "Business has no charms to soothe my savage breast! Grayson," she lowered her voice confidentially, "can talk of nothing else. When he was with me, he was forever telegraphing, cabling to America, or decoding messages. There was no peace in the house, by day or by night. Finally I made a stand. 'Gerald,' I said, 'you shall not pervert my servants with your odious tips, and turn my home into a public stock-exchange. Take your bulls and bears over to the Savoy and play with them there, and leave Doris to me.' And he did!" she concluded triumphantly. Count Poltavo looked about, as if noting for the first time the man's absence. "Where is he now?" he enquired. Lady Dinsmore shrugged her shoulders. "He is--ill! Frankly, I think he had a slight indisposition, and magnified it in order to escape. He hates music. Doris has been quite distrait ever since. The child adores her father." Her companion glanced across to the subject of their remarks. The girl sat in the front of the box, slim and elegant, her hands clasped loosely in her lap. She was watching the brilliant scene with a certain air of detachment, as if thinking of other things. Her usual lightness and gay banter seemed for the moment to have deserted her, leaving a soft brooding wistfulness that was strangely appealing. The count looked long at her. "She is very beautiful," he murmured under his breath. Something in his voice caught Lady Dinsmore's attention. She eyed him keenly. The count met her look frankly. "Is--is she engaged to her young friend?" he asked quietly. "Believe me, it is not vulgar curiosity which prompts the question. I--I am--interested." His voice was as composed as ever, but a slight pallor spread across his countenance. Lady Dinsmore averted her gaze hurriedly and thought with lightning rapidity. "I have not her confidence," she replied at length in a low tone. "She is a wise young woman and keeps her own counsel." She appeared to hesitate. "She dislikes you," she added. "I am sorry to wound you, but it is no secret." Count Poltavo nodded. "I know," he said simply. "Will you be my very good friend and tell me why?" Lady Dinsmore smiled. "I will do better than that," she said kindly. "I will be your very good friend and give you a chance to ask her why. Cord," she bent forward and tapped the young man upon the shoulder with her fan, "will you come over here and tell me what your chief means by permitting all this dreadful war-talk with Japan. Is it true that you Americans are going to fight those pleasant little men?" The count resigned his seat courteously, and took the vacant place beside the girl. A silence fell between them, which presently the man broke. "Miss Grayson," he began gravely, "your aunt kindly gave me this opportunity to ask you a question. Have I your permission also?" The girl arched her brows at him. Her lip curled ever so slightly.