"Oh, not a call," he said aloud, committing the stupidity of lying. "I was just rushing downtown, and stopped to inquire how you were after last night." This answer brought a natural pause. Each looked at the other, he with defiance, she with laughter in her eyes. "You’re staying late," he said at last, because her listening attitude forced him to say something. "Yes, indeed." "It’ll be more amusing when it thins out," he said in a purposely languid tone. "When the sight-seers have left—yes," she said, smiling. Wishing to show what slight importance he attached to the encounter, he contrived to nudge Gunther as a signal that he was ready; but, his friend proving insensible, he was forced to proceed. "Did you come with Mrs. Kildair?" he said perfunctorily. "No." "With whom?" he asked, regretting the question as soon as it was uttered. "With Mr. Lorraine—of course," she said, looking down modestly, but beneath her eyelids he divined again the cunning malice. At this moment, to his delight, Emma Fornez perceived him, and, being profoundly bored by her chance cavalier, a purely passive listener thoroughly bewildered by her sallies, gave a cry of joy: "Teddy, traitor, where have you been?" Dismissing her companion with a bob of her head, she seized Beecher’s arm, exclaiming: "Heavens—save me! I have been shrieking at a deaf-mute." In the crowd, the head of her late companion could be seen, rolling his uncomprehending eyes. Beecher, overjoyed at the arrival, which gave him an advantage he was quick to perceive, nodded to Miss Charters and departed, exaggerating, for her benefit, the confidential intimacy which Mme. Fornez’s attitude permitted. "Who is that woman?" said Emma Fornez immediately. "She is watching us. She doesn’t seem pleased. _Tant pis_!" "Nan Charters—one of our younger actresses." "Ah! Good?" "Yes." "She is pretty—in a way," said Mme. Fornez, using her lorgnette, without caring in the least that Miss Charters perceived it. "_Pas mal—pas mal_. Not much temperament—afraid to uncover her shoulders. It is not an actress; it is a woman. You are interested, Teddy?" "No." "Oh, _avec ça_. You are in love?" "I met her last night for the first time." "That’s not an answer. Yes, you have a guilty look. You are a little taken—she provokes you—these little dolls always do. I will give you good advice; I will help you." "How?" said Beecher, a bit confused. "I will be very, very nice with you," said his companion gaily, her feet dancing to the music. "A woman always wants what another woman wants, particularly when she is a little actress and I am Emma Fornez. It’s very simple, but it never fails; only, I will not help you if you are really in love, you understand?" Beecher solemnly assured her that she need have no fear.