" Rita glanced at a ring which she had not possessed
three hours before. "Oh, Lucy--I don't know how to tell you--"
She turned in her chair, looking up wistfully at Pyne, who was
standing behind her. His jaw hardened, and his glance sought the white
hand upon which the costly gems glittered. He coughed nervously.
"Perhaps"--his drawling manner of speech temporarily deserted him; he
spoke jerkily--"perhaps--I can guess."
She watched him in a pathetic way, and there was a threat of tears in
her beautiful eyes; for whatever his earlier intentions may have been,
Sir Lucien had proved a staunch friend and, according to his own
peculiar code, an honorable lover.
"Is it--Irvin?" he asked jerkily.
Rita nodded, and a tear glistened upon her darkened lashes.
Sir Lucien cleared his throat again, then coolly extended his hand,
once more master of his emotions.
"Congratulations, Rita," he said. "The better man wins. I hope you
will be very happy."
He turned and walked quietly out of the dressing-room.
CHAPTER XVI
LIMEHOUSE
It was on the following Tuesday evening that Mrs. Sin came to the
theatre, accompanied by Mollie Gretna. Rita instructed that she should
be shown up to the dressing-room. The personality of this singular
woman interested her keenly.
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