"Very," replied Stewart emphatically; "let me look at you--ah, you are more beautiful than ever." "What delightful stories you do tell," said Eugénie with a blush. "I wish I could believe them; now, my friend, let me return the compliment by looking at you." She took his face between her hands and looked at it keenly beneath the searching glare of the gas, then shook her head. "You are much paler than you used to be," she said critically. "There are dark circles under your eyes, deep lines down the side of your mouth, and your face looks haggard. Is it work, or--or the other thing?" "Do you mean dissipation, Eugénie?" said Keith, with a smile, taking a seat. "Well, I expect I have been rather dissipated, but now you are here I'll be a good boy." "Have you been worried?" asked Miss Rainsford. Keith sighed. "Yes; very much worried over this terrible case. I suppose you've seen all about it?" Eugénie nodded. "Yes; I've read all about it in the papers. Now I suppose you've nothing to do?" "No--not that I care much--you see I've got this burlesque coming off, and then there's that money." "The five hundred pounds," said Miss Rainsford reflectively. "Have you found out who sent you that?" "No; I can't imagine who did so, unless it was Caprice." "Caprice!" "Yes," replied Keith hurriedly, flushing a little; "the actress I told you about, who is going to play the principal part in 'Faust Upset.'" "Oh!" It was all the comment Miss Rainsford made, but there was a world of meaning in the ejaculation. "From what I've heard of the lady, I don't think it's likely," she said quietly. "Well, at all events, I suppose I'd better use the money." "Yes; I suppose so." "You're not very encouraging, Eugénie," said her lover angrily. "Well," observed the girl deliberately, "if you think this money came from Caprice, I certainly would not touch it. Why don't you ask her?" "I can't; she's been so disagreeable to me lately." "Oh!" Eugénie Rainsford was of a very jealous temperament, and she began to feel vaguely jealous of this actress whom Keith seemed to know so well. She remained silent for a few moments, during which Keith felt somewhat awkward. He was not in love with Kitty, nor, as far as he knew, was she in love with him, yet he saw that some instinct had warned Eugénie against this woman. "Come, Eugénie," said Keith, putting his arm round her slender waist; "you mustn't be angry with me the first night we meet." "I'm not angry," said the girl, turning her face towards him; "but I'd like to see this Caprice." "So you shall, dear--on the stage." "Why not in private?" Keith frowned, and pulled his moustache in a perplexed manner. "Well, she's hardly a fit person for a girl to see." "Pshaw!" replied Eugénie impatiently; "I'm not a girl, but a woman, and am not afraid of anything like that, and besides--besides," with hesitation, "I'm going to see her." "What do you mean?" asked Keith, abruptly withdrawing his arm.