"It is for your friend's benefit. Also, the more you suffer, the better you will act. Every actress should suffer."
"Monsieur, I have served my apprenticeship to pain."
"There are other things than friendship—you have your prospects to think about."
"What prospects?" she flashed back.
"Well, I cannot speak definitely to-day, as you know; but you would not find me unappreciative."
De Lavardens grunted again—emotionally, this time. I checked him with a frown.
"What use would it be for me to refuse to see him?" she objected chokily. "When I am playing anywhere, he can always see me. I cannot kill his love by denying myself his companionship. Besides, he would not accept the dismissal. One night, when I left the theatre, I should find him waiting there again."
This was unpalatably true.
"If a clever woman desires to dismiss a man, she can dismiss him thoroughly, especially a clever actress," I said. "You could talk to him in such a fashion that he would have no wish to meet you again. Such things have been done."
"What? You want me to teach him to despise me?"