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"But, my dear sir, she expects to see you," Mr Lassen protested "You are here at her invitation It is usual, I can assure you"

"Mademoiselle Idiale will perhaps excuse ement immediately after the perfor which Laverick could not catch, and made some excuse to leave the box a few minutes later When he returned, he carried a little, note which he presented to Laverick with an air of triumph

"It is as I said!" he exclaimed "Mademoiselle expects you"

Laverick read the few lines which she had written

I wish to see you after the performance If you cannot come round or escort i, where, as always, I shall sup Do not fail

Louise Idiale

Laverick placed the note in his waistcoat pocket without immediate remark Later on he turned to his companion

"Will you tell Mademoiselle Idiale," he said, "that I will do i's restaurant I have an engagement after the performance which I must keep"

"You will certainly come?" Lassen asked anxiously

"Without a doubt," Laverick proo and tell Mademoiselle For so you this evening She has her whims, and those who have ratified If I do not see you again, sir, per"

He disappeared with several bows of his pudgy little person, and Laverick was left with another puzzle to solve He was not in the least conceited, and he did not for a moment misinterpret this woman's interest in him Her invitation, he knew very well, was one which half London would have coveted Yet itpersonal, he was sure of that It simply meant that for some mysterious reason, the same reason which had prompted her to visit him in the city he was of interest to her

At a few minutes before eleven Laverick left the place and drove to the stage-door of the Universal Theatre Zoe ca up and down the street eagerly When she recognized him, her smile was heavenly

"Oh, how nice of you!" she exclai at once into his taxicab "You don't kno different it feels to hope that there is so for you and then to find your hope co about it, and yet I could not help believing that you would be here"