"You promise?"
He gave the promise in all sincerity. And she became quite cheerful.
Pointing to the little wardrobe with its looking-glass, she said:
"Look, darling, it's there that I study my part. When you came, I was working over my scene in the fourth. I take advantage of being alone to try for the exact tone. I seek a broad, mellow effect. If I were to listen to Romilly I should mince my words, and the result would be wretched. I have to say. 'I do not fear you.' It's the great moment of the part. Do you know how Romilly would have me say: 'I do not fear you'? I'll show you, I am to raise my hand to my nose, open my fingers and speak one word to each finger separately, in a particular tone, with a special expression 'I, do, not, fear, you,' as if I were exhibiting marionettes! It's a wonder he does not ask me to put a little paper hat on every finger. Subtle, intellectual, isn't it?"
Then, lifting her hair and uncovering her animated features, she said:
"I'll show you how I do it."
Suddenly transfigured, seeming of greater stature, she spoke the words with an air of ingenuous dignity and serene innocence:
"No, sir, I do not fear you. Why should I fear you? You thought to ensnare me, and you have placed yourself at my mercy. You are a man of honour. Now that I am under the shelter of your roof, you shall tell me what you told Chevalier d'Amberre, your enemy, when he entered that gate. You shall tell me: 'You are in your own house; I am yours to command.'"
She had the mysterious gift of changing her soul and her very face. Ligny was under the spell of this beautiful illusion.
"You are marvellous!"