To My Darling: A Collection of Short Stories

don't; but you won't mind my saying that as the leading man in a theater of this standing it is bette

feeling for the first time that her smile

to tell you that your protegee won't do at all, and the management are going to ge

ow?" he asked.

s called for eleven o'cloc

ke a hansom and go

excuse for delay, moved majestically away, and again, as

id, "one moment. M

but a replica of their last, as in

moved away and one more they were alone amid the moving scener

r fortune were it only simulated before the footlights, and which was so real that it dis

tell you I don't wish to be pai

lit up her pale face

of it night and day, day and night, and I will pay you some day. You promised once that you would give ten years. Perhaps it may take as long as that, but it shall be

tter a word. It was only later that he realized the one thing he ought to have found out -- her addres

nothing for m

longer, and as for acting the part of it, why, if you'll excuse me saying so, that is a thin

d Dacre, and a s

to bore him. Then had a fight had followed and regretful words were said, and the relationship was over. Worse than over, for it left a

coached and helped by the accomplished actress

aged for a provincial tour. On returning to London again in the autumn, a new comedy was put up, i

ere useless; and meanwhile he had got out of touch with other chances of work, and had become bitten by that fatal passion for the stage which is quite independent of any r

himself of this, every other possible loopho

e one being who had ever seriously stirred his imagination

ing meteor like over London. It had been the usual thing -- the sudden illness of a leading lady, the understudy coming forward at the last moment, unknown, unrecognized, uncared for, and th

ney flowed in like water. But the twenty pounds, the sole link between her and Dacre, were no

e up his mind, a feeling of delight stole over h

her; and then he waited, the long, dreary, sickening, hopeless waiting of

rescent Theater at th

she recognize in this shabby fellow the superb young man

e the interview, but then he resisted the temptation and went. She

on, and as she stood by the window the sunlight turned her chestnut hair to gol

g for favors," began Dacre mi

ew how I have longed to find out your address! But you have not be

actor, and no doubt I deserve it. I was fool enough to try to go in for this sort of work without any training or any special aptitude, and now no one will have me eithe

t her head bent; but when she turned her fa

y into his anxious face; "but this time it is for joy. To think that I have a chance of hel

n rush of new gladness was making his heart beat; he

state, Lord James; you have come along in the very nick of time. I think you underrate your merits; your re

," said Dace. "to have

I always hoped to give it to you myself, if the chance c

ble, and laid four crisp bank notes in Dacre's

ot take them! I w

im into the sun

and she put out her

ver afterwards tell; but as as he stood with her in the sunli

e is no one like you to me; there never has been -- there never will be! I wanted t

d her eyes seemed

ken," she said, "

I mean them, every one! I love you Lettice Grey. I have love

d; "but it is never t

k in her eyes seemed to ask