"Douglas," she said, "do you remember our first journey together?"
He laughed.
"Shall I ever forget it!"
"How young you were," she murmured—"how eager and how ambitious. Life was like a fairy tale to you, full of wonderful things which no one believes in nowadays. I wonder, have you found the truth yet? Have you learnt your lesson?"
"Life is more like a fairy tale than ever to-night," he answered gaily. "As to the rest, I will answer you presently. Only remember, that if I have jealously preserved a few illusions it is because they are the flowers which grow along the byeways of life. You may smile at them, if you will, but not unkindly."
Their way led past the theatre. He glanced at his watch—the last act was still in full swing. He pulled the check cord.
"Do you mind," he asked, "for five minutes? My answer is waiting here."
"In my travelling dress?" she asked.
He handed her out.
"It will not matter," he assured her. "I can find a seat where your dress will be unnoticed."