CHAPTERI。
　　"Iwonderedwhetheryouwouldn’treadittome，"saidMrs。Alsager，astheylingeredalittlenearthefirebeforehetookleave。Shelookeddownatthefiresideways，drawingherdressawayfromitandmakingherproposalwithashysinceritythataddedtohercharm。
　　HercharmwasalwaysgreatforAllanWayworth，andthewholeairofherhouse，whichwassimplyasortofdistillationofherself，sosoothing，sobeguilingthathealwaysmadeseveralfalsestartsbeforedeparture。Hehadspentsomesuchgoodhoursthere，hadforgotten，inherwarm，goldendrawing—room，somuchofthelonelinessandsomanyoftheworriesofhislife，thatithadcometobetheimmediateanswertohislongings，thecureforhisaches，theharbourofrefugefromhisstorms。Histribulationswerenotunprecedented，andsomeofhisadvantages，ifofausualkind，weremarkedindegree，inasmuchashewasverycleverforonesoyoung，andveryindependentforonesopoor。Hewaseight—and—twenty，buthehadlivedagooddealandwasfullofambitionsandcuriositiesanddisappointments。TheopportunitytotalkofsomeoftheseinGrosvenorPlacecorrectedperceptiblytheimmenseinconvenienceofLondon。ThisinconveniencetookforhimprincipallythelineofinsensibilitytoAllanWayworth’sliteraryform。Hehadaliteraryform，orhethoughthehad，andherintelligentrecognitionofthecircumstancewasthesweetestconsolationMrs。Alsagercouldhaveadministered。Shewasevenmoreliteraryandmoreartisticthanhe，inasmuchashecouldoftenworkoffhisoverflow（thiswashisoccupation，hisprofession），whilethegenerouswoman，aboundinginhappythoughts，butuneditedandunpublished，stoodthereintherisingtidelikethenymphofafountainintheplashofthemarblebasin。
　　Theyearbefore，inabignewspaperyhouse，hehadfoundhimselfnextheratdinner，andtheyhadconvertedtheintenselymaterialhourintoafeastofreason。Therewasnomotiveforheraskinghimtocometoseeherbutthatshelikedhim，whichitwasthemoreagreeabletohimtoperceiveasheperceivedatthesametimethatshewasexquisite。Shewasenviablyfreetoactuponherlikings，anditmadeWayworthfeellessunsuccessfultoinferthatforthemomenthehappenedtobeoneofthem。Hekepttherevelationtohimself，andindeedtherewasnothingtoturnhisheadinthekindnessofakindwoman。Mrs。Alsageroccupiedsocompletelythegroundofpossessionthatshewouldhavebeencondemnedtoinactionhaditnotbeenfortheprincipleofgiving。Herhusband，whowastwentyyearshersenior，amassivepersonalityintheCityandaheavyoneathome（whereverhestood，orevensat，hewasmonumental），ownedhalfabignewspaperandthewholeofagreatmanyotherthings。Headmiredhiswife，thoughsheborenochildren，andlikedhertohaveothertastesthanhis，asthatseemedtogiveagreateracreagetotheirlife。Hisownappetiteswentsofarhecouldscarcelyseetheboundary，andhistheorywastotrusthertopushthelimitsofhers，sothatbetweenthemthepairshouldastoundbytheirconsumption。Hisideaswereprodigiouslyvulgar，butsomeofthemhadthegoodfortunetobecarriedoutbyapersonofperfectdelicacy。Herdelicacymadeherplaystrangetrickswiththem，butheneverfoundthisout。Sheattenuatedhimwithouthisknowingit，forwhathemainlythoughtwasthathehadaggrandisedHER。Withoutherhereallywouldhavebeenbiggerstill，andsociety，breathingmorefreely，waspracticallyunderanobligationtoherwhich，todoitjustice，itacknowledgedbyanattitudeofmystifiedrespect。Shefeltatremulousneedtothrowherlibertyandherleisureintothethingsofthesoul——themostbeautifulthingssheknew。Shefoundthem，whenshegavetimetoseeking，inahundredplaces，andparticularlyinadimandsacredregion——theregionofactivepity——
　　overherentranceintowhichshedroppedcurtainssothickthatitwouldhavebeenanimpertinencetoliftthem。Butshecultivatedotherbeneficentpassions，andifshecherishedthedreamofsomethingfinethemomentsatwhichitmostseemedtohertocometruewerewhenshesawbeautypluckedflower—likeinthegardenofart。Shelovedtheperfectwork——shehadtheartisticchord。Thischordcouldvibrateonlytothetouchofanother，sothatappreciation，inherspirit，hadtheaddedintensityofregret。Shecouldunderstandthejoyofcreation，andshethoughtitscarcelyenoughtobetoldthatsheherselfcreatedhappiness。Shewouldhaveliked，atanyrate，tochooseherway；butitwasjustherethatherlibertyfailedher。Shehadnotthevoice——shehadonlythevision。
　　Theonlyenvyshewascapableofwasdirectedtothosewho，asshesaid，coulddosomething。
　　Aseverythinginher，however，turnedtogentleness，shewasadmirablyhospitabletosuchpeopleasaclass。ShebelievedAllanWayworthcoulddosomething，andshelikedtohearhimtalkofthewaysinwhichhemeanttoshowit。Hetalkedofthemalmosttonooneelse——shespoiledhimforotherlisteners。Withherfairbloomandherquietgraceshewasindeedanidealpublic，andifshehadeverconfidedtohimthatshewouldhavelikedtoscribble（shehadinfactnotmentionedittoacreature），hewouldhavebeeninaperfectpositionforaskingherwhyawomanwhosefacehadsomuchexpressionshouldnothavefeltthatsheachieved。Howintheworldcouldsheexpressbetter？TherewaslessthanthatinShakespeareandBeethoven。Shehadneverbeenmoregenerousthanwhen，incompliancewithherinvitation，whichIhaverecorded，hebroughthisplaytoreadtoher。Hehadspokenofittoherbefore，andonedarkNovemberafternoon，whenherredfiresidewasmorethaneveranescapefromtheplaceandtheseason，hehadbrokenoutashecamein——"I’vedoneit，I’vedoneit！"Shemadehimtellherallaboutit——shetookaninterestreallyminuteandaskedquestionsdelightfullyapt。Shehadspokenfromthefirstasifhewereonthepointofbeingacted，makinghimjump，withherparticipation，allsortsofdrearyintervals。Shelikedthetheatreasshelikedalltheartsofexpression，andhehadknownhertogoallthewaytoParisforaparticularperformance。Oncehehadgonewithher——thetimeshetookthatstupidMrs。Mostyn。Shehadbeenstruck，whenhesketchedit，withthesubjectofhisdrama，andhadspokenwordsthathelpedhimtobelieveinit。Assoonashehadrungdownhiscurtainonthelastactherushedofftoseeher，butafterthathekeptthethingforrepeatedlasttouches。Finally，onChristmasday，byarrangement，shesatthereandlistenedtoit。Itwasinthreeactsandinprose，butratheroftheromanticorder，thoughdealingwithcontemporaryEnglishlife，andhefondlybelievedthatitshowedthehandifnotofthemaster，atleastoftheprizepupil。
　　AllanWayworthhadreturnedtoEngland，attwo—and—twenty，afteramiscellaneouscontinentaleducation；hisfather，thecorrespondent，foryears，inseveralforeigncountriessuccessively，ofaconspicuousLondonjournal，haddiedjustafterthis，leavinghismotherandhertwootherchildren，portionlessgirls，tosubsistonaverysmallincomeinaverydullGermantown。Theyoungman’sbeginningsinLondonweredifficult，andhehadaggravatedthembyhisdislikeofjournalism。Hisfather’sconnectionwithitwouldhavehelpedhim，buthewas（insanely，mostofhisfriendsjudged——
　　thegreatexceptionwasalwaysMrs。Alsager）INTRAITABLEonthequestionofform。Form——inhissense——wasnotdemandedbyEnglishnewspapers，andhecouldn’tgiveittotheminTHEIRsense。Thedemandforitwasnotgreatanywhere，andWayworthspentcostlyweeksinpolishinglittlecompositionsformagazinesthatdidn’tpayforstyle。TheonlypersonwhopaidforitwasreallyMrs。Alsager：shehadaninfallibleinstinctfortheperfect。Shepaidinherownway，andifAllanWayworthhadbeenawage—earningpersonitwouldhavemadehimfeelthatifhedidn’treceivehislegaldueshispalmwasatleastoccasionallyconsciousofagratuity。Hehadhislimitations，hisperversities，butthefinestpartsofhimwerethemostalive，andhewasrestlessandsincere。ItishowevertheimpressionheproducedonMrs。Alsagerthatmostconcernsus：shethoughthimnotonlyremarkablygood—lookingbutaltogetheroriginal。
　　Thereweresomeusualbadthingshewouldneverdo——toomanyprohibitivepuddlesforhimintheshortcuttosuccess。
　　Forhimself，hehadneverbeensohappyassincehehadseenhisway，ashefondlybelieved，tosomesortofmasteryofthescenicidea，whichstruckhimasaverydifferentmatternowthathelookedatitfromwithin。Hehadhadhisearlydaysofcontemptforit，whenitseemedtohimajewel，dimatthebest，hiddeninadunghill，ataperburninglowinanairthickwithvulgarity。Itwashedgedaboutwithsordidapproaches，itwasnotworthsacrificeandsuffering。Themanofletters，indealingwithit，wouldhavetoputoffallliterature，whichwaslikeaskingthebearerofanoblenametoforegohisimmemorialheritage。Aspectschange，however，withthepointofview：Wayworthhadwakeduponemorninginadifferentbedaltogether。Itisneedlessheretotracethisaccidenttoitssource；itwouldhavebeenmuchmoreinterestingtoaspectatoroftheyoungman’slifetofollowsomeoftheconsequences。Hehadbeenmade（ashefelt）thesubjectofaspecialrevelation，andheworehishatlikeamaninlove。Anangelhadtakenhimbythehandandguidedhimtotheshabbydoorwhichopens，itappeared，intoaninteriorbothsplendidandaustere。Thescenicideawasmagnificentwhenonceyouhadembracedit——thedramaticformhadapuritywhichmadesomeotherslookingloriouslyrough。Ithadthehighdignityoftheexactsciences，itwasmathematicalandarchitectural。Itwasfulloftherefreshmentofcalculationandconstruction，theincorruptibilityoflineandlaw。Itwasbare，butitwaserect，itwaspoor，butitwasnoble；itremindedhimofsomesovereignfamedforjusticewhoshouldhavelivedinapalacedespoiled。Therewasafearfulamountofconcessioninit，butwhatyoukepthadarareintensity。Youwereperpetuallythrowingoverthecargotosavetheship，butwhatamotionyougaveherwhenyoumadeherridethewaves——amotionasrhythmicasthedanceofagoddess！WayworthtooklongLondonwalksandthoughtofthesethings——Londonpouredintohisearsthemightyhumofitssuggestion。Hisimaginationglowedandmelteddownmaterial，hisintentionsmultipliedandmadetheairagoldenhaze。Hesawnotonlythethingheshoulddo，butthenextandthenextandthenext；thefutureopenedbeforehimandheseemedtowalkonmarbleslabs。Themorehetriedthedramaticformthemorehelovedit，themorehelookedatitthemoreheperceivedinit。Whatheperceivedinitindeedhenowperceivedeverywhere；ifhestopped，intheLondondusk，beforesomeflaringshop—window，theplaceimmediatelyconstituteditselfbehindfootlights，becameaframedstageforhisfigures。Hehammeredatthesefiguresinhislonelylodging，heshapedthemandheshapedtheirtabernacle；hewaslikeagoldsmithchisellingacasket，bentoverwiththepassionforperfection。Whenhewasneitherroamingthestreetswithhisvisionnorworryinghisproblemathistable，hewasexchangingideasonthegeneralquestionwithMrs。Alsager，towhomhepromiseddetailsthatwouldamuseherinlaterandstillhappierhours。Hereyeswerefulloftearswhenhereadherthelastwordsofthefinishedwork，andshemurmured，divinely—
　　"Andnow——togetitdone，togetitdone！"
　　"Yes，indeed——togetitdone！"Wayworthstaredatthefire，slowlyrollinguphistype—copy。"Butthat’satotallydifferentpartofthebusiness，andaltogethersecondary。"
　　"Butofcourseyouwanttobeacted？"
　　"OfcourseIdo——butit’sasuddendescent。Iwanttointensely，butI’msorryIwantto。"
　　"It’sthereindeedthatthedifficultiesbegin，"saidMrs。Alsager，alittleoffherguard。
　　"Howcanyousaythat？It’stherethattheyend！"
　　"Ah，waittoseewheretheyend！"
　　"Imeanthey’llnowbeofatotallydifferentorder，"Wayworthexplained。"Itseemstometherecanbenothingintheworldmoredifficultthantowriteaplaythatwillstandanall—roundtest，andthatincomparisonwiththemthecomplicationsthatspringupatthispointareofanaltogethersmallerkind。"
　　"Yes，they’renotinspiring，"saidMrs。Alsager；"they’rediscouraging，becausethey’revulgar。Theotherproblem，theworkingoutofthethingitself，ispureart。"
　　"Howwellyouunderstandeverything！"Theyoungmanhadgotup，nervously，andwasleaningagainstthechimney—piecewithhisbacktothefireandhisarmsfolded。Therollofhiscopy，inhisfist，wassqueezedintothehollowofoneofthem。HelookeddownatMrs。
　　Alsager，smilinggratefully，andsheansweredhimwithasmilefromeyesstillcharmedandsuffused。"Yes，thevulgaritywillbeginnow，"hepresentlyadded。
　　"You’llsufferdreadfully。"
　　"Ishallsufferinagoodcause。"
　　"Yes，givingTHATtotheworld！Youmustleaveitwithme，Imustreaditoverandover，"Mrs。Alsagerpleaded，risingtocomeneareranddrawthecopy，initscoverofgreenish—greypaper，whichhadagenericidentitynowtohim，outofhisgrasp。"Whointheworldwilldoit？——whointheworldCAN？"shewenton，closetohim，turningovertheleaves。Beforehecouldanswershehadstoppedatoneofthepages；sheturnedthebookroundtohim，pointingoutaspeech。"That’sthemostbeautifulplace——thoselinesareaperfection。"Heglancedatthespotsheindicated，andshebeggedhimtoreadthemagain——hehadreadthemadmirablybefore。Heknewthembyheart，and，closingthebookwhilesheheldtheotherendofit，hemurmuredthemovertoher——theyhadindeedacadencethatpleasedhim——watching，withafacetiouscomplacencywhichhehopedwaspardonable，theapplauseinherface。"Ah，whocanuttersuchlinesasTHAT？"Mrs。Alsagerbrokeout；"whomcanyoufindtodoHER？"
　　"We’llfindpeopletodothemall！"
　　"Butnotpeoplewhoareworthy。"
　　"They’llbeworthyenoughifthey’rewillingenough。I’llworkwiththem——I’llgrinditintothem。"Hespokeasifhehadproducedtwentyplays。
　　"Oh，itwillbeinteresting！"sheechoed。
　　"ButIshallhavetofindmytheatrefirst。Ishallhavetogetamanagertobelieveinme。"
　　"Yes——they’resostupid！"
　　"ButfancythepatienceIshallwant，andhowIshallhavetowatchandwait，"saidAllanWayworth。"DoyouseemehawkingitaboutLondon？"
　　"IndeedIdon’t——itwouldbesickening。"
　　"It’swhatIshallhavetodo。Ishallbeoldbeforeit’sproduced。"
　　"Ishallbeoldverysoonifitisn’t！"Mrs。Alsagercried。"Iknowoneortwoofthem，"shemused。
　　"Doyoumeanyouwouldspeaktothem？"
　　"Thethingistogetthemtoreadit。Icoulddothat。"
　　"That’stheutmostIask。Butit’sevenforthatIshallhavetowait。"
　　Shelookedathimwithkindsisterlyeyes。"Yousha’n’twait。"
　　"Ah，youdearlady！"Wayworthmurmured。
　　"ThatisYOUmay，but_I_won’t！Willyouleavemeyourcopy？"shewenton，turningthepagesagain。
　　"Certainly；Ihaveanother。"Standingnearhimshereadtoherselfapassagehereandthere；then，inhersweetvoice，shereadsomeofthemout。"Oh，ifYOUwereonlyanactress！"theyoungmanexclaimed。
　　"That’sthelastthingIam。There’snocomedyinME！"
　　ShehadneverappearedtoWayworthsomuchhisgoodgenius。"Isthereanytragedy？"heasked，withthelevityofcompleteconfidence。
　　Sheturnedawayfromhim，atthis，withastrangeandcharminglaughanda"Perhapsthatwillbeforyoutodetermine！"ButbeforehecoulddisclaimsucharesponsibilityshehadfacedhimagainandwastalkingaboutNonaVincentasifshehadbeenthemostinterestingoftheirfriendsandhersituationatthatmomentanirresistibleappealtotheirsympathy。NonaVincentwastheheroineoftheplay，andMrs。Alsagerhadtakenatremendousfancytoher。"Ican’tTELLyouhowIlikethatwoman！"sheexclaimedinapensiveraptureofcredulitywhichcouldonlybebalmtotheartisticspirit。
　　"I’mawfullygladshelivesabit。WhatIfeelaboutheristhatshe’sagooddeallikeYOU，"Wayworthobserved。
　　Mrs。Alsagerstaredaninstantandturnedfaintlyred。Thiswasevidentlyaviewthatfailedtostrikeher；shedidn’t，however，treatitasajoke。"I’mnotimpressedwiththeresemblance。I
　　don’tseemyselfdoingwhatshedoes。"
　　"Itisn’tsomuchwhatsheDOES，"theyoungmanargued，drawingouthismoustache。
　　"Butwhatshedoesisthewholepoint。Shesimplytellsherlove——I
　　shouldneverdothat。"
　　"Ifyourepudiatesuchaproceedingwithsuchenergy，whydoyoulikeherforit？"
　　"Itisn’twhatIlikeherfor。"
　　"Whatelse，then？That’sintenselycharacteristic。"
　　Mrs。Alsagerreflected，lookingdownatthefire；shehadtheairofhavinghalf—a—dozenreasonstochoosefrom。Buttheonesheproducedwasunexpectedlysimple；itmightevenhavebeenpromptedbydespairatnotfindingothers。"IlikeherbecauseYOUmadeher！"sheexclaimedwithalaugh，movingagainawayfromhercompanion。
　　Wayworthlaughedstilllouder。"Youmadeheralittleyourself。
　　I’vethoughtofheraslookinglikeyou。"
　　"Sheoughttolookmuchbetter，"saidMrs。Alsager。"No，certainly，Ishouldn’tdowhatSHEdoes。"
　　"Noteveninthesamecircumstances？"
　　"Ishouldneverfindmyselfinsuchcircumstances。They’reexactlyyourplay，andhavenothingincommonwithsuchalifeasmine。
　　However，"Mrs。Alsagerwenton，"herbehaviourwasnaturalforHER，andnotonlynatural，but，itseemstome，thoroughlybeautifulandnoble。Ican’tsufficientlyadmirethetalentandtactwithwhichyoumakeoneacceptit，andItellyoufranklythatit’sevidenttometheremustbeabrilliantfuturebeforeayoungmanwho，atthestart，hasbeencapableofsuchastrokeasthat。ThankheavenIcanadmireNonaVincentasintenselyasIfeelthatIdon’tresembleher！"
　　"Don’texaggeratethat，"saidAllanWayworth。
　　"Myadmiration？"
　　"Yourdissimilarity。Shehasyourface，yourair，yourvoice，yourmotion；shehasmanyelementsofyourbeing。"
　　"Thenshe’lldamnyourplay！"Mrs。Alsagerreplied。Theyjokedalittleoverthis，thoughitwasnotinthetoneofpleasantrythatWayworth’shostesssoonremarked："You’vegotyourremedy，however：
　　haveherdonebytherightwoman。"
　　"Oh，haveher’done’——haveher’done’！"theyoungmangentlywailed。
　　"Iseewhatyoumean，mypoorfriend。Whatapity，whenit’ssuchamagnificentpart——suchachanceforacleverseriousgirl！NonaVincentispracticallyyourplay——itwillbeopentohertocarryitfarortodropitatthefirstcorner。"
　　"It’sacharmingprospect，"saidAllanWayworth，withsuddenscepticism。Theylookedateachotherwitheyesthat，foraluridmoment，sawtheworstoftheworst；butbeforetheypartedtheyhadexchangedvowsandconfidencesthatwerededicatedwhollytotheideal。Itisnottobesupposed，however，thattheknowledgethatMrs。AlsagerwouldhelphimmadeWayworthlesseagertohelphimself。
　　Hedidwhathecouldandfeltthatshe，onherside，wasdoingnoless；butattheendofayearhewasobligedtorecognisethattheirunitedefforthadmainlyproducedthefineflowerofdiscouragement。
　　Attheendofayearthelustrehad，tohisowneyes，quitefadedfromhisunappreciatedmasterpiece，andhefoundhimselfwritingforabiographicaldictionarylittlelivesofcelebritieshehadneverheardof。Tobeprinted，anywhereandanyhow，wasaformofgloryforamansounabletobeacted，andtobepaid，evenatencyclopaedicrates，hadtheconsequenceofmakingoneresignedandverbose。Hecouldn’tsmugglestyleintoadictionary，buthecouldatleastreflectthathehaddonehisbesttolearnfromthedramathatitisagrossimpertinencealmostanywhere。HehadknockedatthedoorofeverytheatreinLondon，and，ataruinousexpense，hadmultipliedtype—copiesofNonaVincenttoreplacetheneattranscriptsthathaddescendedintothemanagerialabyss。Hisplaywasnotevendeclined——nosuchflatteringintimationwasgivenhimthatithadbeenread。WhatthemanagerswoulddoforMrs。Alsagerconcernedhimlittletoday；thethingthatwasrelevantwasthattheywoulddonothingforHIM。Thatcharmingwomanfelthumbledtotheearth，solittleresponsehadshehadfromthepowersonwhichshecounted。Thetwonevertalkedabouttheplaynow，buthetriedtoshowherastillfinerfriendship，thatshemightnotthinkhefeltshehadfailedhim。HestillwalkedaboutLondonwithhisdreams，butasmonthssucceededmonthsandhelefttheyearbehindhimtheyweredreamsnotsomuchofsuccessasofrevenge。Successseemedacolourlessnamefortherewardofhispatience；somethingfiercelyflorid，somethingsanguinolentwasmoretothepoint。Hisbestconsolationhoweverwasstillinthescenicidea；itwasnottillnowthathediscoveredhowincurablyhewasinlovewithit。Bythetimeavainsecondyearhadchafeditselfawayhecherishedhisfruitlessfacultythemorefortheobloquyitseemedtosuffer。Helived，inhisbesthours，inaworldofsubjectsandsituations；hewroteanotherplayandmadeitasdifferentfromitspredecessorassuchaverygoodthingcouldbe。Itmightbeaverygoodthing，butwhenhehadcommittedittothetheatricallimboindiscriminatingfatetooknoaccountofthedifference。HewasatlastabletoleaveEnglandforthreeorfourmonths；hewenttoGermanytopayavisitlongdeferredtohismotherandsisters。
　　ShortlybeforethetimehehadfixedforhisreturnhereceivedfromMrs。Alsageratelegramconsistingofthewords："Loderwishesseeyou——puttingNonainstantrehearsal。"Hespentthefewhoursbeforehisdepartureinkissinghismotherandsisters，whoknewenoughaboutMrs。Alsagertojudgeitluckythisrespectablemarriedladywasnotthere——arelief，however，accompaniedwithspeculativeglancesatLondonandthemorrow。Loder，asouryoungmanwasaware，meantthenew"Renaissance，"butthoughhereachedhomeintheeveningitwasnottothisconvenientmoderntheatrethatWayworthfirstproceeded。HespentalatehourwithMrs。Alsager，anhourthatthrobbedwithcalculation。ShetoldhimthatMr。Loderwascharming，hehadsimplytakenuptheplayinitsturn；hehadhopesofit，moreover，thatonthepartofaprofessionalpessimistmightalmostbequalifiedasecstatic。Ithadbeencast，withamarginforobjections，andVioletGreywastodotheheroine。Shehadbeencapable，whilehewasaway，ofagoodpieceofworkatthatfoggyoldplayhousethe"Legitimate；"thepiecewasaclumsyrechauffe，butsheatleasthadbeenfresh。WayworthrememberedVioletGrey——hadn’the，fortwoyears，onafondpolicyof"lookingout，"keptdippingintotheLondontheatrestopickupprospectiveinterpreters？Hehadnotpickedupmanyasyet，andthisyoungladyatalleventshadneverwriggledinhisnet。Shewasprettyandshewasodd，buthehadneverprefiguredherasNonaVincent，norindeedfoundhimselfattractedbywhathealreadyfeltsufficientlylaunchedintheprofessiontospeakofasherartisticpersonality。Mrs。Alsagerwasdifferent——shedeclaredthatshehadbeenstrucknotalittlebysomeofhertones。Thegirlwasinterestinginthethingatthe"Legitimate，"andMr。Loder，whohadhiseyeonher，describedherasambitiousandintelligent。Shewantedawfullytogeton——andsomeofthoseladiesweresolazy！Wayworthwassceptical——hehadseenMissVioletGrey，whowasterriblyitinerant，inadozentheatresbutonlyinoneaspect。NonaVincenthadadozenaspects，butonlyonetheatre；yetwithwhatafeverishcuriositytheyoungmanpromisedhimselftowatchtheactressonthemorrow！TalkingthematteroverwithMrs。Alsagernowseemedtheverystuffthatrehearsalwasmadeof。Thenearprospectofbeingactedlaidafingerevenonthelipofinquiry；hewantedtogoontiptoetillthefirstnight，tomakenoconditionbutthattheyshouldspeakhislines，andhefeltthathewouldn’tsomuchasraiseaneyebrowatthescene—painterifheshouldgivehimanoldoakchamber。
　　Hebecameconscious，thenextday，thathisdangerwouldbeotherthanthis，andyethecouldn’thaveexpressedtohimselfwhatitwouldbe。Dangerwasthere，doubtless——dangerwaseverywhere，intheworldofart，andstillmoreintheworldofcommerce；butwhathereallyseemedtocatch，forthehour，wasthebeatingofthewingsofvictory。Nothingcouldunderminethat，sinceitwasvictorysimplytobeacted。Itwouldbevictoryeventobeactedbadly；areflectionthatdidn’tpreventhim，however，frombanishing，inhispoliticoptimism，theword"bad"fromhisvocabulary。Ithadnoapplication，inthecompromiseofpractice；itdidn’tapplyeventohisplay，whichhewasconscioushehadalreadyoutlivedandastowhichheforesawthat，inthecomingweeks，frequentalarmwouldalternate，inhisspirit，withfrequentesteem。Whenhewentdowntotheduskydaylittheatre（itarchedoverhimlikethetempleoffame）
　　Mr。Loder，whowasascharmingasMrs。Alsagerhadannounced，struckhimasthegeniusofhospitality。Themanagerbegantoexplainwhy，forsolong，hehadgivennosign；butthatwasthelastthingthatinterestedWayworthnow，andhecouldneverrememberafterwardswhatreasonsMr。Loderhadenumerated。Heliked，inthewholebusinessofdiscussionandpreparation，eventhethingshehadthoughtheshouldprobablydislike，andherevelledinthosehehadthoughtheshouldlike。HewatchedMissVioletGreythateveningwitheyesthatsoughttopenetrateherpossibilities。Shecertainlyhadafew；theywerequalitiesofvoiceandface，qualitiesperhapsevenofintelligence；
　　hesatthereatanyratewithafostering，coaxingattention，repeatingovertohimselfasconvincinglyashecouldthatshewasnotcommon——acircumstanceallthemorecreditableasthepartshewasplayingseemedtohimdesperatelyso。Heperceivedthatthiswaswhyitpleasedtheaudience；hedivinedthatitwastheparttheyenjoyedratherthantheactress。Hehadaprivatepanic，wonderinghow，iftheylikedTHATform，theycouldpossiblylikehis。Hisformhadnowbecomequiteanultimateideatohim。BythetimetheeveningwasoversomeofMissVioletGrey’sfeatures，severaloftheturnsofherhead，acertainvibrationofhervoice，hadtakentheirplaceinthesamecategory。SheWASinteresting，shewasdistinguished；atanyratehehadacceptedher：itcametothesamething。Butheleftthetheatrethatnightwithoutspeakingtoher——
　　moved（alittleeventohisownmystification）byanoddprocrastinatingimpulse。Onthemorrowhewastoreadhisthreeactstothecompany，andthenheshouldhaveagooddealtosay；whathefeltforthemomentwasavagueindispositiontocommithimself。
　　MoreoverhefoundaslightconfusionofannoyanceinthefactthatthoughhehadbeentryingalltheeveningtolookatNonaVincentinVioletGrey’sperson，whatsubsistedinhisvisionwassimplyVioletGreyinNona’s。Hedidn’twishtoseetheactresssodirectly，orevensosimplyasthat；andithadbeenveryfatiguing，theefforttofocusNonaboththroughtheperformerandthroughthe"Legitimate。"
　　BeforehewenttobedthatnighthepostedthreewordstoMrs。
　　Alsager——"She’snotabitlikeit，butIdaresayIcanmakeherdo。"
　　Hewaspleasedwiththewaytheactresslistened，thenextday，atthereading；hewaspleasedindeedwithmanythings，atthereading，andmostofallwiththereadingitself。Thewholeaffairloomedlargetohimandhemagnifieditandmappeditout。Heenjoyedhisoccupationofthebig，dim，hollowtheatre，fulloftheechoesof"effect"andofaqueersmellofgasandsuccess——itallseemedsuchapassivecanvasforhispicture。Forthefirsttimeinhislifehewasincommandofresources；hewasacquaintedwiththephrase，buthadneverthoughtheshouldknowthefeeling。HewassurprisedatwhatLoderappearedreadytodo，thoughheremindedhimselfthathemustnevershowit。Heforesawthattherewouldbetwodistinctconcomitantstotheartisticeffortofproducingaplay，oneconsistingofagreatdealofanguishandtheotherofagreatdealofamusement。Helookedbackuponthereading，afterwards，asthebesthourinthebusiness，becauseitwasthenthatthepiecehadmoststruckhimasrepresented。Whatcamelaterwasthedoingofothers；butthis，withitsimperfectionsandfailures，wasallhisown。Thedramalived，atanyrate，forthathour，withanintensitythatitwaspromptlytoloseinthepovertyandpatchinessofrehearsal；hecouldseeitslifereflected，inawaythatwassweettohim，inthestillnessofthelittlesemi—circleofattentiveandinscrutable，ofwater—proofedandmuddy—booted，actors。MissVioletGreywastheauditorhehadmosttosayto，andhetriedonthespot，acrosstheshabbystage，toletherhavethesoulofherpart。Herattitudewasgraceful，butthoughsheappearedtolistenwithallherfacultiesherfaceremainedperfectlyblank；afact，however，notdiscouragingtoWayworth，wholikedherbetterfornotbeingpremature。Hercompanionsgavediscerniblesignsofrecognisingthepassagesofcomedy；yetWayworthforgavehereventhenforbeinginexpressive。Sheevidentlywishedbeforeeverythingelsetobesimplysureofwhatitwasallabout。
　　HewasmoresurprisedeventhanattherevelationofthescaleonwhichMr。Loderwasreadytoproceedbythediscoverythatsomeoftheactorsdidn’tliketheirparts，andhisheartsankasheaskedhimselfwhathecouldpossiblydowiththemiftheyweregoingtobesostupid。Thiswasthefirstofhisdisappointments；somehowhehadexpectedeveryindividualtobecomeinstantlyandgratefullyconsciousofarareopportunity，andfromthemomentsuchacalculationfailedhewasatsea，ormindfulatanyratethatmoredisappointmentswouldcome。Itwasimpossibletomakeoutwhatthemanagerlikedordisliked；nojudgment，nocommentescapedhim；hisacceptanceoftheplayandhisviewsaboutthewayitshouldbemountedhadapparentlyconvertedhimintoaveiledandshroudedfigure。Wayworthwasabletograsptheideathattheywouldallmovenowinahigherandsharperairthanthatofcomplimentandconfidence。WhenhetalkedwithVioletGreyafterthereadinghegatheredthatshewasreallyrathercrude：whatbetterproofofitcouldtherebethanherfailuretobreakoutinstantlywithanexpressionofdelightabouthergreatchance？Thisreserve，however，hadevidentlynothingtodowithhighpretensions；shehadnowishtomakehimfeelthatapersonofhereminencewassuperiortoeasyraptures。Heguessed，afteralittle，thatshewaspuzzledandevensomewhatfrightened——toacertainextentshehadnotunderstood。
　　Nothingcouldappealtohimmorethantheopportunitytoclearupherdifficulties，inthecourseoftheexaminationofwhichhequicklydiscoveredthat，sofarassheHADunderstood，shehadunderstoodwrong。Ifshewascrudeitwasonlyareasonthemorefortalkingtoher；hekeptsayingtoher"Askme——askme：askmeeverythingyoucanthinkof。"
　　Sheaskedhim，shewasperpetuallyaskinghim，andatthefirstrehearsals，whichwerewithoutformandvoidtoadegreethatmadethemstrikehimmuchmoreasthedeathofanexperimentthanasthedawnofasuccess，theythreshedthingsoutimmenselyinacornerofthestage，withtheeffectofhiscomingtofeelthatatanyrateshewasinearnest。Hefeltmoreandmorethathisheroinewasthekeystoneofhisarch，forwhichindeedtheactresswasveryreadytotakeher。Butwhenheremindedthisyoungladyofthewaythewholethingpracticallydependedonhershewasalarmedandevenslightlyscandalised：shespokemorethanonceasifthatcouldscarcelybetherightwaytoconstructaplay——makeitstandorfallbyonepoornervousgirl。Shewasalmostmorbidlyconscientious，andintheoryhelikedherforthis，thoughhelostpatiencethreeorfourtimeswiththethingsshecouldn’tdoandthethingsshecould。Atsuchtimesthetearscametohereyes；buttheywereproducedbyherownstupidity，shehastenedtoassurehim，notbythewayhespoke，whichwasawfullykindunderthecircumstances。Hersinceritymadeherbeautiful，andhewishedtoheaven（andmadeapointoftellingherso）thatshecouldsprinklealittleofitoverNona。Once，however，shewassotouchedandtroubledthatthesightofitbroughtthetearsforaninstanttohisowneyes；anditsohappenedthat，turningatthismoment，hefoundhimselffacetofacewithMr。Loder。
　　Themanagerstared，glancedattheactress，whoturnedintheotherdirection，andthensmilingatWayworth，exclaimed，withthehumourofamanwhoheardthegallerylaugheverynight：
　　"Isay——Isay！"
　　"What’sthematter？"Wayworthasked。
　　"I’mgladtoseeMissGreyistakingsuchpainswithyou。"
　　"Oh，yes——she’llturnmeout！"saidtheyoungman，gaily。HewasquiteawarethatitwasapparenthewasnotsuperficialaboutNona，andabundantlydetermined，intothebargain，thattherehearsalofthepieceshouldnotsacrificeashadeofthoroughnesstoanyextrinsicconsideration。
　　Mrs。Alsager，whom，lateintheafternoon，heusedoftentogoandaskforacupoftea，thankingherinadvancefortherestshegavehimandtellingherhowhefoundthatrehearsal（asTHEYweredoingit——itwasacaution！）tookitoutofone——Mrs。Alsager，moreandmorehisgoodgeniusand，asherepeatedlyassuredher，hisministeringangel，confirmedhiminthissuperiorpolicyandurgedhimontoeveryformofartisticdevotion。Shehad，naturally，neverbeenmoreinterestedthannowinhiswork；shewantedtoheareverythingabouteverything。Shetreatedhimasheroicallyfatigued，pliedhimwithluxuriousrestoratives，madehimstretchhimselfoncushionsandrose—leaves。Theygossippedmorethanever，byherfire，abouttheartisticlife；heconfidedtoher，forinstance，allhishopesandfears，allhisexperimentsandanxieties，onthesubjectoftherepresentativeofNona。Shewasimmenselyinterestedinthisyoungladyandshoweditbytakingaboxagainandagain（shehadseenherhalf—a—dozentimesalready），tostudyhercapacitythroughtheveilofherpresentpart。LikeAllanWayworthshefoundherencouragingonlybyfits，forshehadfineflashesofbadness。
　　Shewasintelligent，butshecriedaloudfortraining，andthetrainingwassoabsentthattheintelligencehadonlyafractionofitseffect。Shewaslikeaknifewithoutanedge——goodsteelthathadneverbeensharpened；shehackedawayatherharddramaticloaf，shecouldn’tcutitsmooth。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　"Certainlymyleadingladywon’tmakeNonamuchlikeYOU！"WayworthonedaygloomilyremarkedtoMrs。Alsager。Thereweredayswhentheprospectseemedtohimawful。
　　"Somuchthebetter。There’snonecessityforthat。"
　　"Iwishyou’dtrainheralittle——youcouldsoeasily，"theyoungmanwenton；inresponsetowhichMrs。Alsagerrequestedhimnottomakesuchcruelfunofher。Butshewascuriousaboutthegirl，wantedtohearofhercharacter，herprivatesituation，howshelivedandwhere，seemedindeeddesiroustobefriendher。WayworthmightnothaveknownmuchabouttheprivatesituationofMissVioletGrey，but，asithappened，hewasable，bythetimehisplayhadbeenthreeweeksinrehearsal，tosupplyinformationonsuchpoints。Shewasacharming，exemplaryperson，educated，cultivated，withhighlymoderntastes，anexcellentmusician。Shehadlostherparentsandwasverymuchaloneintheworld，heronlytworelationsbeingasister，whowasmarriedtoacivilservant（inahighlyresponsiblepost）inIndia，andadearlittleold—fashionedaunt（reallyagreat—aunt）