“No, I did not look.”
He nodded approvingly.
“That’s right. Take no notice of them! Don’t look beyond the footlights, and—and—the next scene is a trying one—but I don’t want to make you nervous!”
“You will not make me nervous,” she said, almost sadly. “I wish that I could feel it more than I do——”
She turned away, and her lips quivered.
The ballroom was set, crowds of supers were hurrying on to the stage; the orchestra was playing the familiar music; the audience were applauding the really handsome scene. Then her time came, and she went on, and the house listened and watched with rapt attention. When she went off, there was a distinct round of applause, but still not enthusiastic; the fire was wanting yet!
There were two London critics in the stalls, and they exchanged glances and comments.
“Awfully pretty girl!” said one.
“And a lady. Plays well, too,” responded the other.
“Ye-es,” assented the first. “Not at all badly, but, somehow, doesn’t she strike you as being out of the part, so to speak? Seems as if she were going through it in a dream! But she’s as beautiful as a dream, too!”