[CHAPTER XXXIII.]
LIZZIE DEEMS IT NECESSARY TO CALL CUNNING TO HER AID.
The first thing Lily saw when she recovered consciousness was Lizzie's face bending down to hers. In that instant Lizzie began to act: as all women do upon every possible occasion. If those who enlist in the ranks of the drama would but act on the stage as they act off it, there would be no talk of the decadence of dramatic art. Every trace of anxiety vanished from Lizzie's face as Lily's eyes looked into hers, and she smiled so brightly and nodded so encouragingly as to infuse strength into the heart of her friend.
"Where am I, Lizzie?"
"With friends, my dear. The theatre was so hot that I almost fainted myself."
"Did I faint, then? How foolish of me!" A look of joy filled her eyes as they lighted on her brother. "O Alfred!"
He knelt by her side, and she took his hand and retained it. By this time the theatre was fast being emptied.
"I remember now what it was that overcame me. The horrible sight of that man dying!"
She shuddered, and Lizzie said briskly,
"Never mind; we're not going to think of that any more. It was only a piece of acting, after all. We'll go to see something more lively next time."