He left. There passed three days of utter misery and boredom. Wally went to New York on business, and refused to take her along; Max was cross; the devil of revolt entered Isabelle.
She wired Cartel:
Terrible row. Disinherited by parents. Will apply at theatre to-morrow, at ten, for promised job.
Isabelle.
She sneaked two dress-suit cases on to the hotel baggage ’bus, and she took a morning train to New York. Arrived there she wired Max:
Am going on stage. Useless to try to stop me. Am determined on a career.
Isabelle.
Max received this message at tea time, as she sat with a group of merry idlers on the piazza. She read it—frowned. With an exclamation of annoyance she summoned a boy, and wrote as follows to Wally:
Isabelle has joined Cartel. Catch her and bring her back.