"Every day?"
"Yes, indeed, and oftener! See, here is my agenda for to-day's Committee. We are to hear an Épaminondas."
I heaved a sigh. My poor Christine was caught between two cross-fires of classicism.
"M. le Baron," I ventured to say, "would you rather I came another day?"
"Oh! certainly not," said Taylor, "now we are here...."
"Very well," I said, "I will just read you one act, and if that tires you or bores you, you must stop me."
"All right," Taylor murmured; "you are more merciful than your confrères. And that is a good sign.... Go on, go on; I am listening."
Tremblingly I drew my play from my pocket;—it looked a terribly big volume. Taylor cast a glance on the immense bulk with such an alarmed expression that I cried out to him—
"Oh, monsieur, do not be afraid! The manuscript is only written on one side of the paper."