Still the man pleaded with her, for he loved the girl better than anything on earth, and, knowing something of the feelings which made the stage so repulsive to her, would have died to save her from the pain of that night's experience.
Olympia was impatient, nervous, angry. What did the man think? Was she to throw away the chances of a great success and a brilliant fortune, because a romantic girl did not know her own mind? Was she to disgrace herself before all London?
Brown had no answer. The whole thing was unreasonable—he knew that well enough; but his heart ached for the poor girl. So he had done his best, and failed miserably.
"Go back and cheer the foolish thing up," said Olympia. "You can do it. She loves you better than any one in the world. Now, if you want to oblige me, give her courage, soothe her. I never saw such a creature! With the genius and voice of an angel, she has no ambition; but it will come. Before the drinking song is over, she will forget herself. Go, Brown, and give her courage."
Brown went back to the dressing-room, feeling like an executioner.
Caroline met him eagerly; but when she saw his face, her heart turned to stone.
"I see! I see!" she said. "I am doomed! But, remember, I was forced into this. Of my own choice, I would have died first; but she is my mother, and, in my ignorance, I promised her. Tell him this, if you should ever see him. I never shall. After what he said of parts like this, I should perish with shame. Ha! what's that?"
"They are calling you," faltered Brown.
She caught a sharp breath and sprang away from him, like a deer when the hounds are in full cry.