.

THE BALCONY AT IMANO'S.
At six o'clock that evening, Tavernake rang up the Milan Court and inquired for Elizabeth.

There was a moment or two's delay and then he heard her reply.

Even over the telephone wires, even though he stood, cramped and uncomfortable, in that stuffy little telephone booth, he felt the quick start of pleasure, the thrill of something different in life, which came to him always at the sound of her voice, at the slightest suggestion of her presence.
"Well, my friend, what fortune ?" she asked him.
"None," he answered.

"I have done my best.