Театр

           Hewouldnotevenletherpayforthesleeper.Hebeggedher,almostwithtearsinhiseyes,tolethimhavethegreatprivilegeofmakingherthattriflingpresent.Shehadwithheronlyadressing-bag,inwhichwereherfacecreams,hernight-dressandhertoiletthings,andthisheputonthetableforher.Allheaskedwasthathemightbeallowedtositwithherandsmokeacigaretteortwotillshewantedtogotobed.Shecouldhardlyrefusehimthat.Thebedwasalreadymadeupandtheysatdownonit.Inafewminutestheconductorcamebackwithabottleofchampagneandacoupleofglasses.ItwasanoddlittleadventureandJuliawasenjoyingit.Itwaswonderfullypoliteofhim,allthat,ah,thoseforeigners,theyknewhowtotreatagreatactress.OfcoursethatwasthesortofthingthathappenedtoBernhardteveryday.AndSiddons,whenshewentintoadrawing-roomeveryonestoodupasthoughshewereroyalty.HecomplimentedheronherbeautifulFrench.BorninJerseyandeducatedinFrance?Ah,thatexplainedit.Butwhyhadn’tshechosentoactinFrenchratherthaninEnglish?ShewouldhaveasgreatareputationasDuseifshehad.SheremindedhimofDuse,thesamemagnificenteyesandthepaleskin,andinheractingthesameemotionandthewonderfulnaturalness.

           TheyhalffinishedthebottleofchampagneandJuliarealizedthatitwasverylate.

           "IreallythinkIoughttogotobednow."

           "I’llleaveyou."

           Hegotupandkissedherhand.WhenhewasgoneJuliaboltedthedoorandundressed.