The Dress Circle Box No. 7
The curtain had not yet been drawn up, and the house was filling rapidly. Bertha went very seldom into society, but in spite of her sadness she looked awhile with childish curiosity at the persons as they entered their boxes, and then relapsed into her painful reverie.
M. de Brévannes, annoyed at the silence of his wife, said to her, whilst with difficulty he repressed his temper,—
"Bertha, what is the matter?"
"Nothing, Charles."
"Nothing,—nothing! and yet you are as dull and melancholy as death. Supposing I have been wrong, you are making me sensible of it in the most cruel manner."
"I am trying to forget it; and, perhaps, one day——"
"The perspective is agreeable."
"That is no fault of mine; but do not let us talk about it. You know that I have plenty of cause for sorrow."