As her little gloved fingers rested in his, the feeling of awe and restraint melted away, and looking into his face she said:
"Mr. Manning, I do not think you will ever know half how much I thank you for all your kindness to an unknown authorling. I have enjoyed the music very much indeed. How is Lila to-night?"
A slight tremor crossed his lips; the petrified hawthorn was quivering into life.
"She is quite well, thank you. Pray, what do you know about her? I was not aware that I had ever mentioned her name in your presence."
"My pupil, Felix, is her most devoted knight, and I see her almost every afternoon when I go with the children to Central Park."
They reached the carriage where the Englishman stood talking to Mrs. Andrews, and when Mr. Manning had handed Edna in, he turned and said something to Sir Roger, who laughed lightly and walked away.
During the drive Mrs. Andrews talked volubly of the foreigner's ease and elegance and fastidious musical taste, and Mr. Manning listened courteously and bowed coldly in reply. When they reached home she invited him to dinner on the following Thursday, to meet Sir Roger Percival.
As the editor bade them good-night he said to Edna:
"Go to sleep at once; do not sit up to work to-night."
Did she follow his sage advice? Ask of the stars that watched her through the long winter night, and the dappled dawn that saw her stooping wearily over her desk.