"Its effect on the audience this afternoon is a better criterion than all the notices in to-morrow's newspapers put together." Diana laughed.
"Well, I hope it won't make a habit of producing that effect!" she said, pulling a little face of disgust at the recollection.

"I don't know what would have happened if Mr.Errington hadn't come to my rescue." Max smiled across at her.
"You'd have been torn to bits and the pieces distributed amongst the audience--like souvenir programmes--I imagine," he replied.

Then, turning towards the accompanist, he continued: "How does your hand feel now, Miss Lermontof ?" There was a curious change in his voice as he addressed the Russian, and Diana, glancing quickly towards her, surprised a strangely wistful look in her eyes as they rested upon Errington's face.
"Oh, it is much better.

I shall be able to play again in a few days.
But it was fortunate you were at the concert to-day, and able to take my place." "So you approve of me--for once ?" he queried, with a rather twisted little smile.
Olga remained silent for a moment, her eyes searching his face.

Then she said very deliberately:-- "I am glad you were able to play for Miss Quentin." "But you won't commit yourself so far as to say that I have your approval--even once ?" Miss Lermontof leaned forward impetuously.
"How can I ?" she said, in hurried tones, "It's all wrong--oh! you know that it's all wrong." Errington shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm afraid we can never see eye to eye," he answered.