"But not for publication..." said Gunther with a nod.
Beecher would have liked to put a further question, one which had presented itself already at the thought of Louise Fontaine; but he refrained, for he was aware in his friend of a certain new grimness and implacability of purpose which, as in his father, had the effect of withdrawing him from the ordinary club familiarity.
After the second act he went behind the scenes to greet Emma Fornez, who had just received an ovation.
The diva, with the same cry of delight in which she recognized him, asked him what he thought of her success.
"You have reached the top.... Every new Carmen must now be advertised as greater than Emma Fornez!" he answered with a bow.
"Ah, you have learned how to make compliments! ... Bravo!" she exclaimed. She advanced her head, pointing to a little spot under her jeweled ear. "There! ... your recompense! ... You look as big a boy as ever! ... Tell me everything—all at once! ... Victorine, close the door. I see no one—tu m'entends? ... I am too red tonight, hein?"
"Not from the boxes!"
"Si, si! ... I must be more pale ... Sit down, sit down!" She enveloped her shoulders in a shawl, and studied her face in the flashing mirror, pulling her make-up box towards her. "You have come back ... for good, Teddy?"
"Yes!"
"You are always married?"