"I was too surprised for a moment to speak, then I asked her what she wanted.
"'I want you,' she said in a terrible voice, and I saw that she was taking a bottle from her handbag.
"I was so frightened that I could not cry out, although I tried. You see, the warnings I had received had gotten me so worked up that my nerves were all on edge, and as soon as I saw the bottle, I concluded that the woman was about to throw vitriol in my face. So I put my hands to my eyes and ran into the bedroom.
"The woman came behind me, saying that my looks would soon be gone, that my days as an actress were over, and other things like that which I scarcely heard I was so frightened. When she got to me she caught hold of my arm and pulled me around, facing her.
"I couldn't keep my eyes closed now, for I simply had to see what she was doing. It seemed worse not looking at her, and then I thought I might take the bottle away from her and save myself in that way. So I took my hands from my face and rushed toward her.
"Then she raised the bottle and dashed something into my face.
"It seemed hot, stinging, and made my eyes burn frightfully. I was sure it was vitriol, and the thought was too much for me I guess, for I felt myself falling and—well, that's all I remember until I woke up and found the doctor and mother there. It was a terrible experience. I could scarcely believe them, when they told me, after I came to, that I wasn't really hurt at all."
Duvall looked at the girl's face. It showed no signs of injury, although her eyes were red and inflamed.
"Then it wasn't vitriol after all?" he asked, wondering.
"No, it apparently wasn't. The doctor said he thought it must have been ammonia."