The mysterious young man had disappeared.
Maria, in the costume of Semiramis, came on the stage. The man in the mantle, who was no other than Pepe Vera, entered at this moment, approached the actress, and without any person hearing him, said to her—
“I do not wish you to sing.”
And he went on his way, cold and indifferent.
Maria at first turned pale, then the blush of indignation mounted to her face.
“Come!” said she to her waiting-woman; “Marina, arrange the folds of this mantle. We are about to commence.” And she added in a loud voice, so that Pepe, who was far off, heard her, “We do not play for the public.”
The boy of the theatre came to her, and said—
“Señora, shall we raise the curtain?”
“I am ready.”
But she had scarcely pronounced these words when she uttered a sharp cry.