Charmian heard it and her lips grew pale. But she sat well forward in the box, and, though she saw two opera-glasses levelled at her, she lifted her hands again and clapped till Armand Gillier passed out of sight. CHAPTER XXXVII In the red sitting-room at the St. Regis Hotel a supper-table was laid for three people. It was decorated with some lilies-of-the-valley and white heather, which Jacob Crayford had sent in the afternoon to the "little lady." On a table near stood a gilded basket of tulips, left by Gillier with a formal note. The elderly German waiter, who looked like a very respectable butler, placed a menu beside the lilies and the heather soon after the clock struck twelve. Then he glanced at the clock, compared it with his silver watch, and retired to see that the champagne was being properly iced. He returned, with a subordinate, about half-past twelve, and began to arrange an ice pail, from which the neck of a bottle protruded, and other things on a side table. While he was still in the room he heard voices in the corridor, and the three people for whom the preparations had been made came in. "Supper is ready? That's right!" Charmian said, in a high and gay voice. She turned. "Doesn't the table look pretty, Alston, with Mr. Crayford's white heather?" She had Alston's red roses in her hand. "I am going to put your roses in water now." She turned again to the waiter. "Could I have some water put in that vase, please? And we'll have supper at once." "Certainly, ma'am!" "Come and see the menu, both of you, and tell me if you are satisfied with it." She picked it up and handed it to Alston. "And then show it to Claude while I take off my cloak." She went away, smiling. The waiters had gone out for a moment. The two friends were alone together. Claude put his arm round Alston Lake's shoulder. "Alston, this has been my first chance to congratulate you without a lot of people round us, or--really to tell you, I mean, how fine your performance was. There is no doubt that you are a made man from to-night. I am glad for you. You've worked splendidly, and you deserve this great success." Alston wrung his friend's hand. "Thank you, Claude. But I only got my chance through you and Mrs. Charmian. If you hadn't composed a splendid opera, I couldn't have scored in it." "You would have scored in something else. You are going to." "I shall never enjoy singing any role so much as I have enjoyed singing your Spahi." "I don't see how you are ever going to sing any role better," said Claude. Their hands fell apart as Charmian quickly came in. "You've put your coats in the lobby? That's right. Oh, here is supper! Caviare first! I'll sit here. Oh, Alston, what a comfort to be quietly here with just you and Claude after all the excitement!" For a moment her mouth dropped, but only for a moment.