withwhomshelivedatNottingHill，whowrotechildren’sbooksandwho，itappeared，hadoncewrittenaChristmaspantomime。Itwasquiteanartistichome——notonthescaleofMrs。Alsager’s（tocomparethesmallestthingswiththegreatest！）butintenselyrefinedandhonourable。WayworthwentsofarastohintthatitwouldberatherniceandhumanonMrs。Alsager’sparttogothere——theywouldtakeitsokindlyifsheshouldcallonthem。Shehadactedsooftenonhishintsthathehadformedapleasanthabitofexpectingit：itmadehimfeelsowiselyresponsibleaboutgivingthem。Butthisoneappearedtofalltotheground，sothatheletthesubjectdrop。
　　Mrs。Alsager，however，wentyetoncemoretothe"Legitimate，"ashefoundbyhersayingtohimabruptly，onthemorrow："Oh，she’llbeverygood——she’llbeverygood。"Whentheysaid"she，"inthesedays，theyalwaysmeantVioletGrey，thoughtheypretended，forthemostpart，thattheymeantNonaVincent。
　　"Ohyes，"Wayworthassented，"shewantssoto！"
　　Mrs。Alsagerwassilentamoment；thensheasked，alittleinconsequently，asifshehadcomebackfromareverie："DoesshewanttoVERYmuch？"
　　"Tremendously——anditappearsshehasbeenfascinatedbythepartfromthefirst。"
　　"Whythendidn’tshesayso？"
　　"Oh，becauseshe’ssofunny。"
　　"SheISfunny，"saidMrs。Alsager，musingly；andpresentlysheadded：
　　"She’sinlovewithyou。"
　　Wayworthstared，blushedveryred，thenlaughedout。"Whatistherefunnyinthat？"hedemanded；butbeforehisinterlocutresscouldsatisfyhimonthispointheinquired，further，howsheknewanythingaboutit。Afteralittlegracefulevasionsheexplainedthatthenightbefore，atthe"Legitimate，"Mrs。Beaumont，thewifeoftheactor—manager，hadpaidheravisitinherbox；whichhadhappened，inthecourseoftheirbriefgossip，toleadtoherremarkingthatshehadneverbeen"behind。"Mrs。Beaumontofferedonthespottotakeherround，andthefancyhadseizedhertoaccepttheinvitation。Shehadbeenamusedforthemoment，andinthiswayitbefellthatherconductress，atherrequest，hadintroducedhertoMissVioletGrey，whowaswaitinginthewingforoneofherscenes。
　　Mrs。Beaumonthadbeencalledawayforthreeminutes，andduringthisscrapoftime，facetofacewiththeactress，shehaddiscoveredthepoorgirl’ssecret。Wayworthqualifieditasasenselessthing，butwishedtoknowwhathadledtothediscovery。Shecharacterisedthisinquiryassuperficialforapainterofthewaysofwomen；andhedoubtlessdidn’timproveitbyremarkingprofanelythatacatmightlookatakingandthatsuchthingswereconvenienttoknow。Evenonthisground，however，hewasthreatenedbyMrs。Alsager，whocontendedthatitmightnotbeajokingmattertothepoorgirl。TothisWayworth，whonowprofessedtohatetalkingaboutthepassionshemighthaveinspired，couldonlyreplythathemeantitcouldn’tmakeadifferencetoMrs。Alsager。
　　"HowintheworlddoyouknowwhatmakesadifferencetoME？"thisladyasked，withincongruouscoldness，withahaughtinessindeedremarkableinsogentleaspirit。
　　HesawVioletGreythatnightatthetheatre，anditwasshewhospokefirstofherhavinglatelymetafriendofhis。
　　"She’sinlovewithyou，"theactresssaid，afterhehadmadeashowofignorance；"doesn’tthattellyouanything？"
　　HeblushedredderstillthanMrs。Alsagerhadmadehimblush，butreplied，quicklyenoughandveryadequately，thathundredsofwomenwerenaturallydyingforhim。
　　"Oh，Idon’tcare，foryou’renotinlovewithHER！"thegirlcontinued。
　　"Didshetellyouthattoo？"Wayworthasked；butshehadatthatmomenttogoon。
　　Standingwherehecouldseeherhethoughtthatonthisoccasionshethrewintoherscene，whichwasthebestshehadintheplay，abrighterartthaneverbefore，atalentthatcouldplaywithitsproblem。Shewasperpetuallydoingthingsoutofrehearsal（shedidtwoorthreeto—night，intheotherman’spiece），thatheasoftenwishedtoheavenNonaVincentmighthavethebenefitof。Sheappearedtobeabletodothemforeveryonebuthim——thatisforeveryonebutNona。Hewasconscious，inthesedays，ofanoddnewfeeling，whichmixed（thiswasapartofitsoddity）withaverynaturalandcomparativelyoldoneandwhichinitsmostdefiniteformwasadullacheofregretthatthisyounglady’sunluckystarshouldhaveplacedheronthestage。Hewishedinhisworstuneasinessthat，withoutgoingfurther，shewouldgiveitup；andyetitsoothedthatuneasinesstoremindhimselfthathesawgroundstohopeshewouldgofarenoughtomakeamarkedsuccessofNona。Therewerestrangeandpainfulmomentswhen，astheinterpretressofNona，healmosthatedher；afterwhich，however，healwaysassuredhimselfthatheexaggerated，inasmuchaswhatmadethisaversionseemgreat，whenhewasnervous，wassimplyitscontrastwiththegrowingsensethatthereWEREgrounds——totallydifferent——onwhichshepleasedhim。
　　Shepleasedhimasacharmingcreature——byhersinceritiesandherperversities，bythevarietiesandsurprisesofhercharacterandbycertainhappyfactsofherperson。Inprivatehereyesweresadtohimandhervoicewasrare。Hedetestedtheideathatsheshouldhaveadisappointmentoranhumiliation，andhewantedtorescueheraltogether，tosaveandtransplanther。Onewaytosaveherwastoseetoit，tothebestofhisability，thattheproductionofhisplayshouldbeatriumph；andtheotherway——itwasreallytooqueertoexpress——wasalmosttowishthatitshouldn’tbe。Then，forthefuture，therewouldbesafetyandpeace，andnotthepeaceofdeath——
　　thepeaceofadifferentlife。Itistobeaddedthatouryoungmanclungtotheformerofthesewaysinproportionasthelatterperverselytemptedhim。Hewasnervousatthebest，increasinglyandintolerablynervous；buttheimmediateremedywastorehearseharderandharder，andabovealltoworkitoutwithVioletGrey。Someofhercomradesreproachedhimwithworkingitoutonlywithher，asifshewerethewholeaffair；towhichherepliedthattheycouldaffordtobeneglected，theywereallsotremendouslygood。Shewastheonlypersonconcernedwhomhedidn’tflatter。
　　TheauthorandtheactressstucksotothebusinessinhandthatshehadverylittletimetospeaktohimagainofMrs。Alsager，ofwhomindeedherimaginationappearedadequatelytohavedisposed。
　　WayworthonceremarkedtoherthatNonaVincentwassupposedtobeagooddeallikehischarmingfriend；butshegaveablank"Supposedbywhom？"inconsequenceofwhichheneverreturnedtothesubject。HeconfidedhisnervousnessasfreelyasusualtoMrs。Alsager，whoeasilyunderstoodthathehadapeculiarcomplicationofanxieties。
　　Hissuspensevariedindegreefromhourtohour，butanyrelieftheremighthavebeeninthiswasmadeupforbyitsbeingofseveraldifferentkinds。Oneafternoon，asthefirstperformancedrewnear，Mrs。Alsagersaidtohim，ingivinghimhiscupofteaandonhishavingmentionedthathehadnotclosedhiseyesthenightbefore：
　　"Youmustindeedbeinadreadfulstate。Anxietyforanotherisstillworsethananxietyforone’sself。"
　　"Foranother？"Wayworthrepeated，lookingatherovertherimofhiscup。
　　"Mypoorfriend，you’renervousaboutNonaVincent，butyou’reinfinitelymorenervousaboutVioletGrey。"
　　"SheISNonaVincent！"
　　"No，sheisn’t——notabit！"saidMrs。Alsager，abruptly。
　　"Doyoureallythinkso？"Wayworthcried，spillinghisteainhisalarm。
　　"WhatIthinkdoesn’tsignify——ImeanwhatIthinkaboutthat。WhatImeanttosaywasthatgreatasisyoursuspenseaboutyourplay，yoursuspenseaboutyouractressisgreaterstill。"
　　"IcanonlyrepeatthatmyactressISmyplay。"
　　Mrs。Alsagerlookedthoughtfullyintotheteapot。
　　"Youractressisyour——"
　　"Mywhat？"theyoungmanasked，withalittletremorinhisvoice，ashishostesspaused。
　　"Yourverydearfriend。You’reinlovewithher——atpresent。"AndwithasharpclickMrs。Alsagerdroppedthelidonthefragrantreceptacle。
　　"Notyet——notyet！"laughedhervisitor。
　　"Youwillbeifshepullsyouthrough。"
　　"YoudeclarethatsheWON’Tpullmethrough。"
　　Mrs。Alsagerwassilentamoment，afterwhichshesoftlymurmured：
　　"I’llprayforher。"
　　"You’rethemostgenerousofwomen！"Wayworthcried；thencolouredasifthewordshadnotbeenhappy。Theywouldhavedoneindeedlittlehonourtoamanoftact。
　　ThenextmorninghereceivedfivehurriedlinesfromMrs。Alsager。
　　ShehadsuddenlybeencalledtoTorquay，toseearelationwhowasseriouslyill；sheshouldbedetainedthereseveraldays，butshehadanearnesthopeofbeingabletoreturnintimeforhisfirstnight。
　　Inanyeventhehadherunrestrictedgoodwishes。Hemissedherextremely，fortheselastdayswereagreatstrainandtherewaslittlecomforttobederivedfromVioletGrey。Shewasevenmorenervousthanhimself，andsopaleandalteredthathewasafraidshewouldbetooilltoact。Itwassettledbetweenthemthattheymadeeachotherworseandthathehadnowmuchbetterleaveheralone。
　　TheyhadpulledNonasotopiecesthatnothingseemedleftofher——
　　shemustatleasthavetimetogrowtogetheragain。HeleftVioletGreyalone，tothebestofhisability，butshecarriedoutimperfectlyherownsideofthebargain。Shecametohimwithnewquestions——shewaitedforhimwitholddoubts，andhalfanhourbeforethelastdress—rehearsal，ontheeveofproduction，sheproposedtohimatotallyfreshrenderingofhisheroine。Thisincidentgavehimsuchasenseofinsecuritythatheturnedhisbackonherwithoutaword，boltedoutofthetheatre，dashedalongtheStrandandwalkedasfarastheBank。Thenhejumpedintoahansomandcamewestward，andwhenhereachedthetheatreagainthebusinesswasnearlyover。Itappeared，almosttohisdisappointment，notbadenoughtogivehimtheconsolationoftheoldplayhouseadagethattheworstdress—rehearsalsmakethebestfirstnights。
　　Themorrow，whichwasaWednesday，wasthedreadfulday；thetheatrehadbeenclosedontheMondayandtheTuesday。Everyone，ontheWednesday，didhisbesttoleteveryoneelsealone，andeveryonesignallyfailedintheattempt。Theday，tillseveno’clock，wasunderstoodtobeconsecratedtorest，buteveryoneexceptVioletGreyturnedupatthetheatre。WayworthlookedatMr。Loder，andMr。
　　Loderlookedinanotherdirection，whichwasasnearastheycametoconversation。Wayworthwasinafidget，unabletoeatorsleeporsitstill，attimesalmostinterror。Hekeptquietbykeeping，asusual，inmotion；hetriedtowalkawayfromhisnervousness。HewalkedintheafternoontowardNottingHill，buthesucceededinnotbreakingthevowhehadtakennottomeddlewithhisactress。Shewaslikeanacrobatpoisedonaslipperyball——ifheshouldtouchhershewouldtoppleover。Hepassedherdoorthreetimesandhethoughtofherthreehundred。ThiswasthehouratwhichhemostregrettedthatMrs。Alsagerhadnotcomeback——forhehadcalledatherhouseonlytolearnthatshewasstillatTorquay。Thiswasprobablyqueer，anditwasprobablyqueererstillthatshehadn’twrittentohim；butevenofthesethingshewasn’tsure，forinlosing，ashehadnowcompletelylost，hisjudgmentofhisplay，heseemedtohimselftohavelosthisjudgmentofeverything。Whenhewenthome，however，hefoundatelegramfromtheladyofGrosvenorPlace——"Shallbeabletocome——reachtownbyseven。"Athalf—pasteighto’clock，throughalittleapertureinthecurtainofthe"Renaissance，"hesawherinherboxwithaclusteroffriends——completelybeautifulandbeneficent。Thehousewasmagnificent——toogoodforhisplay，hefelt；toogoodforanyplay。Everythingnowseemedtoogood——thescenery，thefurniture，thedresses，theveryprogrammes。HeseizedupontheideathatthiswasprobablywhatwasthematterwiththerepresentativeofNona——shewasonlytoogood。Hehadcompletelyarrangedwiththisyoungladytheplanoftheirrelationsduringtheevening；andthoughtheyhadalteredeverythingelsethattheyhadarrangedtheyhadpromisedeachothernottoalterthis。Itwaswonderfulthenumberofthingstheyhadpromisedeachother。Hewouldstarther，hewouldseeheroff——thenhewouldquitthetheatreandstayawaytilljustbeforetheend。Shebesoughthimtostayaway——itwouldmakeherinfinitelyeasier。Hesawthatshewasexquisitelydressed——shehadmadeoneortwochangesforthebettersincethenightbefore，andthatseemedsomethingdefinitetoturnoverandoverinhismindasherumbledfoggilyhomeinthefour—
　　wheelerinwhich，afewstepsfromthestage—door，hehadtakenrefugeassoonasheknewthatthecurtainwasup。Helivedacoupleofmilesoff，andhehadchosenafour—wheelertodragoutthetime。
　　Whenhegothomehisfirewasout，hisroomwascold，andhelaydownonhissofainhisovercoat。Hehadsenthislandladytothedress—
　　circle，onpurpose；shewouldoverflowwithwordsandmistakes。Thehouseseemedablackvoid，justasthestreetshaddone——everyonewas，formidably，athisplay。Hewasquieteratlastthanhehadbeenforafortnight，andhefelttooweakeventowonderhowthethingwasgoing。Hebelievedafterwardsthathehadsleptanhour；
　　butevenifhehadhefeltittobestilltooearlytoreturntothetheatre。Hesatdownbyhislampandtriedtoread——toreadalittlecompendiouslifeofagreatEnglishstatesman，outofa"series。"Itstruckhimasbrilliantlyclever，andheaskedhimselfwhetherthatperhapswerenotratherthesortofthingheoughttohavetakenup：
　　notthestatesmanship，buttheartofbriefbiography。Suddenlyhebecameawarethathemusthurryifhewastoreachthetheatreatall——itwasaquartertoeleveno’clock。Hescrambledoutand，thistime，foundahansom——hehadlatelyspentenoughmoneyincabstoaddtohishopethattheprofitsofhisnewprofessionwouldbegreat。
　　Hisanxiety，hissuspenseflamedupagain，andasherattledeastward——hewentfastnow——hewasalmostsickwithalternations。Ashepassedintothetheatrethefirstman——someunderling——whomethim，criedtohim，breathlessly：
　　"You’rewanted，sir——you’rewanted！"Hethoughthistoneveryominous——hedevouredtheman’seyeswithhisown，forabetrayal：
　　didhemeanthathewaswantedforexecution？Someoneelsepressedhim，almostpushedhim，forward；hewasalreadyonthestage。Thenhebecameconsciousofasoundmoreorlesscontinuous，butseeminglyfaintandfar，whichhetookatfirstforthevoiceoftheactorsheardthroughtheircanvaswalls，thebeautifulbuilt—inroomofthelastact。Buttheactorswereinthewing，theysurroundedhim；thecurtainwasdownandtheywerecomingofffrombeforeit。Theyhadbeencalled，andHEwascalled——theyallgreetedhimwith"Goon——goon！"Hewasterrified——hecouldn’tgoon——hedidn’tbelieveintheapplause，whichseemedtohimonlyaudibleenoughtosoundhalf—
　　hearted。
　　"Hasitgone？——HASitgone？"hegaspedtothepeopleroundhim；andheheardthemsay"Rather——rather！"perfunctorily，mendaciouslytoo，asitstruckhim，andevenwithmockinglaughter，thelaughterofdefeatanddespair。Suddenly，thoughallthismusthavetakenbutamoment，Loderburstuponhimfromsomewherewitha"ForGod’ssakedon’tkeepthem，orthey’llSTOP！""ButIcan’tgoonforTHAT！"
　　Wayworthcried，inanguish；thesoundseemedtohimalreadytohaveceased。Loderhadholdofhimandwasshovinghim；heresistedandlookedroundfranticallyforVioletGrey，whoperhapswouldtellhimthetruth。Therewasbythistimeacrowdinthewing，allwithstrangegrimacingpaintedfaces，butVioletwasnotamongthemandherveryabsencefrightenedhim。Heutteredhernamewithanaccentthatheafterwardsregretted——itgavethem，ashethought，bothaway；
　　andwhileLoderhustledhimbeforethecurtainheheardsomeonesay"Shetookhercallanddisappeared。"Shehadhadacall，then——thiswaswhatwasmostpresenttotheyoungmanashestoodforaninstantintheglareofthefootlights，lookingblindlyatthegreatvaguely—
　　peopledhorseshoeandgreetedwithplauditswhichnowseemedtohimatoncelouderthanhedeservedandfeeblerthanhedesired。Theysanktorestquickly，buthefeltittobelongbeforehecouldbackaway，beforehecould，inhisturn，seizethemanagerbythearmandcryhuskily——"Hasitreallygone——REALLY？"
　　Mr。Loderlookedathimhardandrepliedafteraninstant："Theplay’sallright！"
　　Wayworthhunguponhislips。"Thenwhat’sallwrong？"
　　"WemustdosomethingtoMissGrey。"
　　"What’sthematterwithher？"
　　"Sheisn’tINit！"
　　"Doyoumeanshehasfailed？"
　　"Yes，damnit——shehasfailed。"
　　Wayworthstared。"Thenhowcantheplaybeallright？"
　　"Oh，we’llsaveit——we’llsaveit。"
　　"Where’sMissGrey——whereISshe？"theyoungmanasked。
　　Lodercaughthisarmashewasturningawayagaintolookforhisheroine。"Nevermindhernow——sheknowsit！"
　　WayworthwasapproachedatthesamemomentbyagentlemanheknewasoneofMrs。Alsager’sfriends——hehadperceivedhiminthatlady’sbox。Mrs。Alsagerwaswaitingthereforthesuccessfulauthor；shedesiredveryearnestlythathewouldcomeroundandspeaktoher。
　　WayworthassuredhimselffirstthatViolethadleftthetheatre——oneoftheactressescouldtellhimthatshehadseenherthrowonacloak，withoutchangingherdress，andhadlearntafterwardsthatshehad，thenextmoment，flungherself，afterflingingheraunt，intoacab。Hehadwishedtoinvitehalfadozenpersons，ofwhomMissGreyandherelderlyrelativeweretwo，tocomehometosupperwithhim；
　　butshehadrefusedtomakeanyengagementbeforehand（itwouldbesodreadfultohavetokeepitifsheshouldn’thavemadeahit），andthisattitudehadblightedthepleasantplan，whichfelltotheground。Hehadcalledhermorbid，butshewasimmovable。Mrs。
　　Alsager’smessengerlethimknowthathewasexpectedtosupperinGrosvenorPlace，andhalfanhourafterwardshewasseatedthereamongcomplimentarypeopleandflowersandpoppingcorks，eatingthefirstorderlymealhehadpartakenofforaweek。Mrs。Alsagerhadcarriedhimoffinherbrougham——theotherpeoplewhowerecominggotintothingsoftheirown。Hestoppedhershortassoonasshebegantotellhimhowtremendouslyeveryonehadbeenstruckbythepiece；
　　henailedherdowntothequestionofVioletGrey。Hadshespoilttheplay，hadshejeopardisedorcompromisedit——hadshebeenutterlybad，hadshebeengoodinanydegree？
　　"CertainlytheperformancewouldhaveseemedbetterifSHEhadbeenbetter，"Mrs。Alsagerconfessed。
　　"Andtheplaywouldhaveseemedbetteriftheperformancehadbeenbetter，"Wayworthsaid，gloomily，fromthecornerofthebrougham。
　　"Shedoeswhatshecan，andshehastalent，andshelookedlovely。
　　Butshedoesn’tSEENonaVincent。Shedoesn’tseethetype——shedoesn’tseetheindividual——shedoesn’tseethewomanyoumeant。
　　She’soutofit——shegivesyouadifferentperson。"
　　"Oh，thewomanImeant！"theyoungmanexclaimed，lookingattheLondonlampsasherolledbythem。"IwishtoGodshehadknownYOU！"headded，asthecarriagestopped。Aftertheyhadpassedintothehousehesaidtohiscompanion：
　　"YouseesheWON’Tpullmethrough。"
　　"Forgiveher——bekindtoher！"Mrs。Alsagerpleaded。
　　"Ishallonlythankher。Theplaymaygotothedogs。"
　　"Ifitdoes——ifitdoes，"Mrs。Alsagerbegan，withherpureeyesonhim。
　　"Well，whatifitdoes？"
　　Shecouldn’ttellhim，fortherestofherguestscameintogether；
　　sheonlyhadtimetosay："ItSHA’N’Tgotothedogs！"
　　Hecameawaybeforetheothers，restlesswiththedesiretogotoNottingHilleventhatnight，lateasitwas，hauntedwiththesensethatVioletGreyhadmeasuredherfall。Whenhegotintothestreet，however，heallowedsecondthoughtstocounselanothercourse；theeffectofknockingherupattwoo’clockinthemorningwouldhardlybetosootheher。Helookedatsixnewspapersthenextdayandfoundinthemneveragoodwordforher。Theywerewellenoughaboutthepiece，buttheywereunanimousastothedisappointmentcausedbytheyoungactresswhoseformereffortshadexcitedsuchhopesandonwhom，onthisoccasion，suchpressingresponsibilitiesrested。Theyaskedinchoruswhatwasthematterwithher，andtheydeclaredinchorusthattheplay，whichwasnotwithoutpromise，washandicapped（theyallusedthesameword）bytheoddwantofcorrespondencebetweentheheroineandherinterpreter。WayworthdroveearlytoNottingHill，buthedidn’ttakethenewspaperswithhim；VioletGreycouldbetrustedtohavesentoutforthembythepeepofdawnandtohavefedheranguishfull。Shedeclinedtoseehim——sheonlysentdownwordbyherauntthatshewasextremelyunwellandshouldbeunabletoactthatnightunlesssheweresufferedtospendthedayunmolestedandinbed。Wayworthsatforanhourwiththeoldlady，whounderstoodeverythingandtowhomhecouldspeakfrankly。Shegavehimatouchingpictureofherniece’scondition，whichwasallthemorevividforthesimplewordsinwhichitwasexpressed："Shefeelssheisn’tright，youknow——shefeelssheisn’tright！"
　　"Tellheritdoesn’tmatter——itdoesn’tmatterastraw！"saidWayworth。
　　"Andshe’ssoproud——youknowhowproudsheis！"theoldladywenton。
　　"TellherI’mmorethansatisfied，thatIaccepthergratefullyassheis。"
　　"Shesayssheinjuresyourplay，thatsheruinsit，"saidhisinterlocutress。
　　"She’llimprove，immensely——she’llgrowintothepart，"theyoungmancontinued。
　　"She’dimproveifsheknewhow——butshesaysshedoesn’t。Shehasgivenallshehasgot，andshedoesn’tknowwhat’swanted。"
　　"What’swantedissimplythatsheshouldgostraightonandtrustme。"
　　"Howcanshetrustyouwhenshefeelsshe’slosingyou？"
　　"Losingme？"Wayworthcried。
　　"You’llneverforgiveherifyourplayistakenoff！"
　　"Itwillrunsixmonths，"saidtheauthorofthepiece。
　　Theoldladylaidherhandonhisarm。"Whatwillyoudoforherifitdoes？"
　　HelookedatVioletGrey’sauntamoment。"Doyousayyournieceisveryproud？"
　　"Tooproudforherdreadfulprofession。"
　　"Thenshewouldn’twishyoutoaskmethat，"Wayworthanswered，gettingup。
　　Whenhereachedhomehewasverytired，andforapersontowhomitwasopentoconsiderthathehadscoredasuccesshespentaremarkablydismalday。Allhisrestlessnesshadgone，andfatigueanddepressionpossessedhim。Hesankintohisoldchairbythefireandsatthereforhourswithhiseyesclosed。Hislandladycameintobringhisluncheonandmendthefire，buthefeignedtobeasleep，soasnottobespokento。Itistobesupposedthatsleepatlastovertookhim，foraboutthehourthatduskbegantogatherhehadanextraordinaryimpression，avisitthat，itwouldseem，couldhavebelongedtonowakingconsciousness。NonaVincent，infaceandform，thelivingheroineofhisplay，rosebeforehiminhislittlesilentroom，satdownwithhimathisdingyfireside。ShewasnotVioletGrey，shewasnotMrs。Alsager，shewasnotanywomanhehadseenuponearth，norwasitanymasqueradeoffriendshiporofpenitence。
　　Yetshewasmorefamiliartohimthanthewomenhehadknownbest，andshewasineffablybeautifulandconsoling。Shefilledthepoorroomwithherpresence，theeffectofwhichwasassoothingassomeodourofincense。Shewasasquietasanaffectionatesister，andtherewasnosurpriseinherbeingthere。Nothingmorerealhadeverbefallenhim，andnothing，somehow，morereassuring。Hefeltherhandrestuponhisown，andallhissensesseemedtoopentohermessage。Shestruckhim，inthestrangestway，bothashiscreationandashisinspirer，andshegavehimthehappiestconsciousnessofsuccess。Ifshewassocharming，intheredfirelight，inhervague，clear—colouredgarments，itwasbecausehehadmadeherso，andyetiftheweightseemedliftedfromhisspirititwasbecauseshedrewitaway。Whenshebentherdeepeyesuponhimtheyseemedtospeakofsafetyandfreedomandtomakeagreengardenofthefuture。Fromtimetotimeshesmiledandsaid："Ilive——Ilive——Ilive。"Howlongshestayedhecouldn’thavetold，butwhenhislandladyblunderedinwiththelampNonaVincentwasnolongerthere。Herubbedhiseyes，butnodreamhadeverbeensointense；andasheslowlygotoutofhischairitwaswithadeepstilljoy——thejoyoftheartist——inthethoughtofhowrighthehadbeen，howexactlylikeherselfhehadmadeher。Shehadcometoshowhimthat。Attheendoffiveminutes，however，hefeltsufficientlymystifiedtocallhislandladyback——hewantedtoaskheraquestion。Whenthegoodwomanreappearedthequestionhungfireaninstant；thenitshapeditselfastheinquiry：
　　"Hasanyladybeenhere？"
　　"No，sir——noladyatall。"
　　Thewomanseemedslightlyscandalised。"NotMissVincent？"
　　"MissVincent，sir？"
　　"Theyoungladyofmyplay，don’tyouknow？"
　　"Oh，sir，youmeanMissVioletGrey！"
　　"NoIdon’t，atall。IthinkImeanMrs。Alsager。"
　　"TherehasbeennoMrs。Alsager，sir。"
　　"Noranybodyatalllikeher？"
　　Thewomanlookedathimasifshewonderedwhathadsuddenlytakenhim。Thensheaskedinaninjuredtone："Whyshouldn’tIhavetoldyouifyou’d’adcallers，sir？"
　　"IthoughtyoumighthavethoughtIwasasleep。"
　　"Indeedyouwere，sir，whenIcameinwiththelamp——andwellyou’dearnedit，Mr。Wayworth！"
　　Thelandladycamebackanhourlatertobringhimatelegram；itwasjustashehadbeguntodresstodineathisclubandgodowntothetheatre。
　　"Seemeto—nightinfront，anddon’tcomenearmetillit’sover。"
　　ItwasinthesewordsthatVioletcommunicatedherwishesfortheevening。Heobeyedthemtotheletter；hewatchedherfromthedepthsofabox。Hewasinnopositiontosayhowshemighthavestruckhimthenightbefore，butwhathesawduringthesecharmedhoursfilledhimwithadmirationandgratitude。SheWASinit，thistime；shehadpulledherselftogether，shehadtakenpossession，shewasfelicitousateveryturn。FreshfromhisrevelationofNonahewasinapositiontojudge，andashejudgedheexulted。Hewasthrilledandcarriedaway，andhewasmoreoverintenselycurioustoknowwhathadhappenedtoher，bywhatunfathomableartshehadmanagedinafewhourstoeffectsuchachangeofbase。ItwasasifSHEhadhadarevelationofNona，soconvincingaclearnesshadbeenbreatheduponthepicture。Hekepthimselfquietintheentr’actes——
　　hewouldspeaktoheronlyattheend；butbeforetheplaywashalfoverthemanagerburstintohisbox。
　　"It’sprodigious，whatshe’supto！"criedMr。Loder，almostmorebewilderedthangratified。"Shehasgoneinforanewreading——ablessedsomersaultintheair！"
　　"Isitquitedifferent？"Wayworthasked，sharinghismystification。
　　"Different？Hyperiontoasatyr！It’sdevilishgood，myboy！"
　　"It’sdevilishgood，"saidWayworth，"andit’sinadifferentkeyaltogetherfromthekeyofherrehearsal。"
　　"I’llrunyousixmonths！"themanagerdeclared；andherushedroundagaintotheactress，leavingWayworthwithasensethatshehadalreadypulledhimthrough。Shehadwiththeaudienceanimmensepersonalsuccess。
　　Whenhewentbehind，attheend，hehadtowaitforher；sheonlyshowedherselfwhenshewasreadytoleavethetheatre。Heraunthadbeeninherdressing—roomwithher，andthetwoladiesappearedtogether。Thegirlpassedhimquickly，motioninghimtosaynothingtilltheyshouldhavegotoutoftheplace。Hesawthatshewasimmenselyexcited，liftedaltogetherabovehercommonartisticlevel。
　　Theoldladysaidtohim："Youmustcomehometosupperwithus：ithasbeenallarranged。"Theyhadabrougham，withalittlethirdseat，andhegotintoitwiththem。Itwasalongtimebeforetheactresswouldspeak。Sheleanedbackinhercorner，givingnosignbutstillheavingalittle，likeasubsidingsea，andwithallhertriumphintheeyesthatshonethroughthedarkness。Theoldladywashushedtoawe，oratleasttodiscretion，andWayworthwashappyenoughtowait。HehadreallytowaittilltheyhadalightedatNottingHill，wheretheelderofhiscompanionswenttoseethatsupperhadbeenattendedto。
　　"Iwasbetter——Iwasbetter，"saidVioletGrey，throwingoffhercloakinthelittledrawing—room。
　　"Youwereperfection。You’llbelikethateverynight，won’tyou？"
　　Shesmiledathim。"Everynight？Therecanscarcelybeamiracleeveryday。"
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbyamiracle？"
　　"I’vehadarevelation。"
　　Waywardstared。"Atwhathour？"
　　"Therighthour——thisafternoon。Justintimetosaveme——andtosaveYOU。"
　　"Atfiveo’clock？Doyoumeanyouhadavisit？"
　　"Shecametome——shestayedtwohours。"
　　"Twohours？NonaVincent？"
　　"Mrs。Alsager。"VioletGreysmiledmoredeeply。"It’sthesamething。"
　　"AndhowdidMrs。Alsagersaveyou？"
　　"Bylettingmelookather。Bylettingmehearherspeak。Bylettingmeknowher。"
　　"Andwhatdidshesaytoyou？"
　　"Kindthings——encouraging，intelligentthings。"
　　"Ah，thedearwoman！"Wayworthcried。
　　"Yououghttolikeher——shelikesYOU。ShewasjustwhatIwanted，"
　　theactressadded。
　　"DoyoumeanshetalkedtoyouaboutNona？"
　　"Shesaidyouthoughtshewaslikeher。SheIS——she’sexquisite。"
　　"She’sexquisite，"Wayworthrepeated。"Doyoumeanshetriedtocoachyou？"
　　"Oh，no——sheonlysaidshewouldbesogladifitwouldhelpmetoseeher。AndIfeltitdidhelpme。Idon’tknowwhattookplace——
　　sheonlysatthere，andsheheldmyhandandsmiledatme，andshehadtactandgrace，andshehadgoodnessandbeauty，andshesoothedmynervesandlightedupmyimagination。SomehowsheseemedtoGIVE
　　italltome。Itookit——Itookit。Ikeptherbeforeme，Idrankherin。Forthefirsttime，inthewholestudyofthepart，Ihadmymodel——Icouldmakemycopy。Allmycouragecamebacktome，andotherthingscamethatIhadn’tfeltbefore。Shewasdifferent——shewasdelightful；asI’vesaid，shewasarevelation。Shekissedmewhenshewentaway——andyoumayguessifIkissedHER。Wewereawfullyaffectionate，butit’sYOUshelikes！"saidVioletGrey。
　　Wayworthhadneverbeenmoreinterestedinhislife，andhehadrarelybeenmoremystified。"Didshewearvague，clear—colouredgarments？"heasked，afteramoment。
　　VioletGreystared，laughed，thenbadehimgointosupper。"YOU
　　knowhowshedresses！"
　　Hewasverywellpleasedatsupper，buthewassilentandalittlesolemn。HesaidhewouldgotoseeMrs。Alsagerthenextday。Hedidso，buthewastoldatherdoorthatshehadreturnedtoTorquay。
　　Sheremainedthereallwinter，allspring，andthenexttimehesawherhisplayhadruntwohundrednightsandhehadmarriedVioletGrey。Hisplayssometimessucceed，buthiswifeisnotinthemnow，norinanyothers。AttheserepresentationsMrs。Alsagercontinuesfrequentlytobepresent。