"After I have come off. My scene has come. I must go." So saying, she left the room and went to the wings.
Felix followed to a point from which he could see his wife on the stage and have a general view of the house.
Eveline played badly and sang worse. Her voice trembled, she was out of tune, and her runs and roulades were imperfect. She was evidently nervous. Nevertheless, she was applauded to the echo, the claque worked hard; and Prince Waldemar, from his box, clapped as if he had been paid for it. When she had finished her last song a shower of bouquets and wreaths came from the prince's box and fell at her feet.
Eveline left them on the stage and hurried away to her dressing-room. Kaulmann followed her.
"Why didn't you pick up those lovely bouquets?" he asked, carelessly.
"I felt I didn't deserve any. I know I did badly to-night."
"But surely for the sake of the giver you should have taken one of the bouquets."
"Ah, you would like that."
"I?"
"Yes. All those flowers came from you—at least, so I have always understood."