The Powers and Maxine

e play on that awful

d before my eyes, to recognise Raoul in the box where I knew he would be sitting unless-something had happened. But presently I was conscious of one pair of hands clapping more than all the rest. Yes, Raoul was there. I fel

the time the applause had died down enough to let me speak, each line seemed to spring into my mind as it was needed. Then I got out of myself and into the part, as

if they know all I've done?" The question flashed across my brain. "What if a voice in the auditorium should suddenly shout that Maxine de Renz

can always go on-till she breaks. I think that she can't be bent, as other women can: and I envy the wome

he ovation I was having. Then, when the time came that I could escape, I met on the way to my dressing-room men carrying big harps and crowns, bask

an from the Foreign Office. But then, of course, he is really quite out of place in diplomacy. Since he can't exist on a marble pedestal or some Old Master's canvas, he ought at least to be a poet

ich adjoins my dressing-room. Then-well, we spoke no longer like mere acquaintances. That is enough to say.

or a moment we can forget everything else, even if it were death itself waiting just round the corner. I've flirted with more than one man, sometimes because I liked him and it amused me,-as with Ivor Dundas,-sometimes because

r moving, for the first two or three hundred years of eternity. But as the peaceful fancy cooled my brain, back darted remembrance, like a poisonous snake. I reminded myself how li

man you adore, who adores you in return. We women are true as truth itself to those we love. For them we would sacrifice the greatest cause. Always I had known this, and I had thought that I could prove my

from ruin, nothing on earth could wash the stain f

eds no future punishment. She has all she deserves in this world. My punishment had begun, and it would always go on through my life with Raoul, I knew, even if no gr

h my lids were dry, and Raoul tried to soothe me, thinking it was but my excitement in playing fo

how proud I am. I thought it would be impossible to worship you more

rt was almost breaking with love for me, who so ill deserved it. Now, I had news for him, which would make him long to shout for joy. If I chose, I could tell him that the jewels were safe. He would love me still more passionately in his happiness, which I had given, than in his grief; and I would

that perhaps I might never be in his arms again: that this might be the last time t

d hissed me, instead of applauding?" I asked. "W

e could be a 'better,'" he an

much as you deserve to be appreciated. Of course I'm proud that they adore you, but I'd like to take you away from them and adore you all by myself. Why, i

went on, dwelling on the subject with a dreadful fa

earth-while you

n't true-if I

hink of such a thing. Why should you speak of it-when it's beyond possibility, thank Hea

told him then, but he went on, saying to me so many things sweet and blessed to hear, that I could not bear to cut him short, lest never after this should he speak words of love to me. Then-long before it ought, so it seemed-the clock in mydressing-room struck, and I knew that I hadn't another instant to spare

ntil the last, for you know I've almost to open the third and fourth acts. But when the curtain goes down on my death scene, come behind again. I shan't take

ised me long ago that I should have supper with you at your house-

l. But this time I had forgotten. There had been so many miserable things to think of, that they had crowded

exclaimed Raoul, di

m hardly myself. I'm tired and excited, uns

with me?" he asked wistfully, as I

ne out of them, and I couldn't bear that. It mi

she fancies it's for my good. It, generally ends in my obeying her-seldom in her obeying me. But we'll see how I feel when the last act's over. We'll talk of it when you come here-after my death." I tried to laugh, as I made that wretched jest

, to see you," I said. "And now, good

was growing very nervous, and aimlessly shifting my make-up things on th

d she. "The stage-door keeper just brought it

pposing Ivor had had bad news, and th

ter," I insisted. "G

tter on which we disagree: but something in my voice, I suppose, made her obey me with extraordinary promp

n that letter. I was afraid-afraid of a hundred things. But most of all, I was afraid of learning that the

ight have counted "one, two," slowly, the paper looked black before my eyes, as if ink were spilt over it, blotting out the words: but the dark smud

This for your own sake and that of another, even more than mine, though you know very well what it is to me to be with you. Perhaps you may be able to guess that this is important. I am so sure

whatever wa

EXI

en to tear the letter in little pieces, with the writer looking on. Then

rder him sent away from the stage door. I would have to see him. But how could I manage it after refusing-as I must refuse-to let Raoul go home with me? Raoul was coming to me after my death scene on the stage. At the