But what looked like the most important crisis of his life had presented itself unexpectedly within a few minutes; a success which he reckoned far beyond all other successes was almost within his grasp, and he felt that he was unprepared.

For the first time he did not know what to say to a woman.
Happily for him, Margaret helped him unexpectedly.
'I shall have to see Lady Maud,' she said, 'and you must either go when she comes or leave with her.

I'm sorry, but you understand, don't you ?' 'Of course.

I'll go a moment after she comes.

When am I to see you again?
To-morrow?
You are not to sing again this week, are you ?' 'No,' the Primadonna answered vaguely, 'I believe not.' She was thinking of something else.