She had expected the probability of such a happening, yet her face
perceptibly paled while perusing the brief note handed her by the stage
manager upon coming forth from her dressing-room. Her first impulse
was to refuse compliance, to trust fortune in an endeavor to keep
beyond reach, to turn and run from this new, threatening danger like a
frightened deer. But she recalled the financial necessity which held
her yet a prisoner at the Gayety. This writer was partner in the
gambling rooms, possibly in the theatre also; her chance for escaping
him would be very slender. Besides, it might be far better to face the
man boldly and have it over. Undoubtedly a meeting must occur some
time; as well now as later so that the haunting shadow would not remain
ever before her. The color stole slowly back into her cheeks as she
stood twisting the paper between her fingers, her eyes darkening with
returning courage.
"Where is the gentleman, Ben?" she asked, steadying herself slightly
against a fly.
"First box, Miss; right through that narrow door, yonder," and the man
smiled, supposing he understood. "Very convenient arrangement for the
stage ladies."
She paused, her hand resting upon the latch, in a final effort to quiet
her rapid breathing and gain firmer control over her nerves. This was
to be a struggle for which she must steel herself. She stepped quietly
within, and stood, silent and motionless, amid the shadows of the drawn
curtains, gazing directly at the sole occupant of the box, her dark
eyes filled with contemptuous defiance. Farnham lounged in the second
chair, leaning back in affected carelessness with one arm resting
negligently upon the railing, but there came into his pale face a
sudden glow of appreciation as he swept his cool eyes over the trim
figure, the flushed countenance there confronting him. A realization
of her fresh womanly fairness came over him with such suddenness as to
cause the man to draw his breath quickly, his eyes darkening with
passion.
"By thunder, Lizzie, but you are actually developing into quite a
beauty!" he exclaimed with almost brutal frankness. "Life on the stage
appears to agree with you; or was it joy at getting rid of me?"
She did not move from where she had taken her first stand against the
background of curtains, nor did the expression upon her face change.
"I presume you did not send for me merely for the purpose of
compliment," she remarked, quietly.
"Well, no; not exactly," and the man laughed with assumed recklessness
in an evident effort to appear perfectly at ease. "I was simply
carried away by the enthusiasm of the moment. I was always, as you
will remember, something of a connoisseur regarding the charms of the
sex, and you have certainly improved wonderfully. Why, I actually
believe I might fall in love with you again if I were to receive the
slightest encouragement."