Adrien Leroy

"Adrien is very changeable," Vermont said reflectively, "one can never

count on his movements; following him is like wild duck shooting, down

the river on Monday, and up the Fens on Tuesday. I'm sorry I missed him,

though, for I have several papers which he must see."

Lady Constance tried to appear sympathetic.

"It is a pity you weren't earlier," she said with a smile. "Still, I

daresay you know where to find him."

"Oh, yes," returned Mr. Vermont, glancing at her from the corner of his

eye, as he aimed his second shaft. "He will be either with Miss

Lester or her ladyship; he fluctuates between these two points of

happiness as a rule."

Lady Constance did not appear perturbed in any way by this news.

"Lady Merivale is a charming woman," she said briefly. "But who is Miss

Lester?"

"She is also a charming woman," was the smooth reply; "but with the

difference that she is unattached--save to the theatre."

"Oh! an actress!" exclaimed his companion with patrician contempt. "That

reminds me," she continued. "What is your last success at the Casket?"

"My success," echoed Mr. Vermont, with an air of pained astonishment.

"Yes, are you not the manager of that building?" she asked simply.

He bowed and smiled.

"No, Lady Constance," he said. "I fear the world gives me too much

credit. I have nothing to do with this whim of Adrien's save to pay out

the salaries for the company. The management is his--or rather, perhaps,

I should say, Miss Lester's; and I am not answerable for its failure or

its successes. I believe, too, he is about to give the whole place to

Miss Lester."

Lady Constance started almost unconsciously, and Jasper knew that his

words had hit home at last.

"I am sure you do your best to help him," she said, after a moment's

pause.

"You are most kind," he returned with a bow and an ironic smile. "I

trust you will let me prove my friendship both to Adrien and yourself."