CHAPTER XVIII.
MAXINE MEETS DIANA Godensky was obliged to take his leave, which he did abruptly, but to all appearance with a good grace; and when he was gone Marianne ushered in a girl--a tall, beautiful girl in a grey tailor dress built by an artist.
For such time as it might have taken us to count twelve, we looked at each other; and as we looked, a little clock on the mantel softly chimed the quarter hour.

In fifteen minutes I should be due upon the stage.
The girl was very lovely.

Yes, lovely was the right word for her--lovely and lovable.

She was like a fresh rose, with the morning dew of youth on its petals--a rose that had budded and was beginning to bloom in a fair garden, far out of reach of ugly weeds.

I envied her, for I felt how different her sweet, girl's life had been from my stormy if sometimes brilliant career.
"Mr.Dundas sent you to me ?" I asked.