"Are you ready to go?" she enquired.
"You are very tired," was the reply, "and it is no wonder. But you
made a great hit to-night, and I have been almost swamped with requests
from visitors who wish to see you. Some were determined to enter,
especially women, and I had to be very firm, in fact almost rude."
"You were quite right, Mr. Markham," and the woman lifted her eyes to
his face. "I have no desire to see such people. I know them only too
well. They are quite willing to fawn upon me now when I have met with
some success. But one time when I was poor and struggling they treated
me like a dog. I suppose Mrs. Featson, Mrs. Juatty, Mrs. Merden, and
other women of their set were there."
"Oh, yes, and they were most insistent. But how do you know of them?"
and the manager looked astonished. "I thought that you were an entire
stranger here."
"So I am, in a way," and a slight smile overspread the woman's face.
"But I know those women to my sorrow. Some day, perhaps, I may be able
to tell you more, but not to-night. Are you ready to go now?"
"Just a moment, Miss Royanna," and the manager motioned her not to
rise. "There are two little boys outside, who are very anxious to see
you.
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