"Who knows
but this time next year she will be playing in 'Phantom Love'?"
Eleanor's wandering thoughts came to instant attention.
"Is there a part I could play?" she asked eagerly, leaning across the
table with her chin on her clasped hands.
Harold watched her with an amused smile. "What would you say if I told
you I had written a role especially for you? Would you dare to take it?"
Eleanor closed her eyes and drew a breath of rapture.
"_Would_ I? There isn't anything in heaven or earth that could prevent
me!"
"Mrs. Bartlett," said the trim maid, "there's a young man at the front
door."
The conversation hung suspended while Mrs. Ranny inquired concerning his
mission.
"It's the young man that brings messages from the office, ma'am."
"Oh, it must be Quin," said Mr. Ranny, rising and going into the hall.
"Did you want to see me about something?"
Eleanor held her breath to listen. Was it possible that that absurd boy
had actually followed her up to the Bartletts' with the intention of
going with them on their expedition? Hadn't it been enough for him to
come to her party in that idiotic coat, with his shirt-front bulging and
his face swollen? Of course she liked him--she liked him immensely; but
he had no right to impose upon her kindness, to make a pretext of his
interest in Papa Claude to force himself in where he was not invited.
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