He went out on the veranda where Nicolette was already seated with a young gentleman, very fastidiously dressed.
"We request your presence at the rehearsal, Miss Nicolette. . . ."
"What are you rehearsing?" asked Nicolette.
"Nitouche . . . why, don't you know that you are to appear in the title role? . . . I have already advertised it in the papers."
Kazckowska, who had at that moment entered and was looking at them, hastily covered her face with her parasol, so as not to burst out laughing at the comical look of embarrassment on Nicolette's face.
"I am too indisposed at present to take part in the rehearsal," she said, scrutinizing Cabiniski and Kaczkowska.
Evidently she suspected some ruse, but Cabinski, with the solemnest mien in the world, handed her the role.
"Here is your part, madame. . . . We begin immediately," he said, going away.
"But Mr. Director! my dear Director, I pray you, go on with the rehearsal without me! . . . I have such a headache that I doubt I could sing," she pleaded.
"It can't be done. We begin immediately."