The Idol of Paris

by the ordinary events of life, met any danger or great event quite calmly. For this

ties were in the audience: and, what is less usual, many "intellectuals." They wished to testify by their presence their friendship for Fran?ois Darbois, and to prote

and wanted to show his young wife a "first night" in Paris. The Fir

a journalist, pointing out the Secretary to his n

e as reserved and as serious

they

woman, with affected pity, examin

ade a hundred suggestions to the manager, which were received with weariness. He entered into conversation with the firemen. "Watch and listen, won't you, so that you can

n was audible on the stage. This rattling of properties is very noticeable to

, the author knew his public, knew when to spring his surprises, how to h

balcony. Hers was such startling, such radiant fairness! Her musical, fluting voice acted like as a strange enchantment on the astonished

do you suppose he will fall in love with her, do you believe he wi

continued to applaud her unstintedly, as she smiled and blushed under her make-up. In spite of fifteen mi

takes your breath. Just think

hink it i

wn hair-but what a rev

t a car

do not think that I have e

l at the Con

es

r immediately. They would find it would a

in the theatre. Why there they are, the Darbois. Don't you se

ale man p

Have you read the article he wr

puts me

it was rat

t ab

ndity of the po

ed. The count wa

bout Esperance Darbois?

ming in his clear eyes. "It is too soon to pass judgm

friends. Jean Perliez joined them, his face betraying a conf

see my

went to congr

d you f

me shows a little stage fright, a special variety which makes her hands like ice, and

, and was a little f

hen

be worried. It does not affect her powers and

be repulsed. However, the chemist, the father of this young man, occupied a respected position as a well-to-do man, with an unblemished reputation. Why should he not declare himself, or at least try to find some encouragement? Fran?ois Darbois would have bee

into space. A coming storm was heralded by her quick motion, when she sprang up, threw aside her book, shook the pretty head to drive away the black butterflies in her brain, and

ned emotion of the grief that overwhelmed her and the spasm of weeping which close

r Plenipotentiary. He hid himself from the pub

Minister, "present me

e with you," be

at his nod of acquiescence they prepared to go and sa

us, my de

his forehead, a polite phrase died in his throat. He

or had agreed that no stranger should approach the young artist. Only the family, Jean Perliez and Mlle. Frahender were all

me know, my dear chil

ully out into the little room. She stopped short upon seeing three

g you, little friend.... I want to pre

mplimented her graciously; he was a dilettante, who could ex

id the young actress. "I shall do

nd blushed a little. The Minister turned and saw Albert Styvens standing

to you Count A

head a little and drew

Frah

him away as soon as he had made his adie

insane?" he aske

be going insane," murmured th

seemed to watch in a delirium of delight, and when the last curtain dr

ude in him as the discoverer of a new sensation.... No comet acclaimed by astronomers as capable of doubling