'I am not going to consult you on that matter, because I have done all you could have asked for without consulting you.

I take no part in the play to-night.' 'Forgive my momentary doubt!' 'Somebody else will play for me--an actress from London.

But on no account must the substitution be known beforehand or the performance to-night will never come off: and that I should much regret.' 'Captain De Stancy will not play his part if he knows you will not play yours--that's what you mean ?' 'You may suppose it is,' she said, smiling.

'And to guard against this you must help me to keep the secret by being my confederate.' To be Paula's confederate; to-day, indeed, time had brought him something worth waiting for.

'In anything!' cried Somerset.
'Only in this!' said she, with soft severity.