Joseph roared, too, his discomfiture forgotten. Theo heard Natalie give small scandalized gasps, punctuated with 'O là, là, que c'cst risqué' to the Count. Even Aaron emitted his throaty chuckle. So she laughed, too, at the proper moments, though the speeches were meaningless jumbles and the actors as unreal as figures seen through the wrong end of her father's spyglass.

They must meet. She had never had a desire to match this one. More than a desire, it was an ache, a hunger. But how could they meet? She was immured in the fortress of convention, and, even if she dared break out, there was still Aaron to reckon with.

When the curtains fell on a bowing and curtsying cast, she could bear it no longer and turned abruptly under cover of the applause. He was nearer to her now, so that by reaching out her arm she could have touched him. The other officers milled about in their box finding and replacing their cocked hats, guffawing as they repeated the best lines in the farce. He stood aloof in the midst of them, watching her expectantly. She knew that he would communicate with her and felt rather than saw his lips form a question, 'Where?'

'Theo, are you ready?' Aaron's voice came from the back of the box. Desperation seized her, and with it a plan. She whirled, cried gaily at the top of her voice. 'Yes, Father—quite ready. But do not let us go home yet. Let's go to the Vauxhall Gardens. It will be delightful. They have excellent music, and we can cat ices beside the fountain.'

She emphasized 'Vauxhall Gardens,' knowing that be listened and would understand.

Aaron bent on her a keen look. 'What a gadabout you have become, my dear! I think it time for all respectable people to seek their homes.'

'Oh no, Papa, please. It's too early to go home, and Joseph has never been there. He would enjoy the Gardens so much'. She cast on that young man a look so compelling and unexpected that his head whirled.

'By all means let us go if Theo wishes it,' he stammered. Aaron's eyebrows shot up. He turned to Natalie. 'Are you also interested in this singular little expedition?'

Theo held her breath while Natalie considered the question carefully from all angles before she said: 'Why not? It would be amusing, no doubt, and many vairy nice people go there, I think.'

Aaron bowed. 'I give way to the ladies' wishes as always. But I cannot accompany you. I have business to attend to at home. You four may take the chaise, and I will hire a carriage to drive me back to Richmond Hill.'