The old gentleman was a little disconcerted at first, but he quickly recovered himself and said:
"I come, as I remarked before, to pay a tribute to genius and beauty."
"Well?"
Al had not supposed the girl capable of assuming such a frigid air as that with which she now confronted her aged admirer.
"Will you accept these flowers?" stammered the old man. "They are a tribute to——"
"Thanks," interrupted the actress. "You may leave them on the table."
"You are very kind. And now——"
"And now you must excuse me; I have business of importance with Mr. Allston."
"Oh, certainly! May I call again?"
"I am too much occupied to receive callers. Good-morning."