up and kiss her, and say: 'Can't we be friends; we two?'
Then this feeling was dispelled by Emma whispering: 'Heaven knows how many women friends he has in the theatre to-night ...' The music started and everybody was silent. Now, in a moment, it would begin; scarcely had the thought crossed my mind before a terror gripped my heart, and I felt as if I should faint. With moist hands I squeezed my handkerchief, and I answered Emmy's questions quite senselessly.
The curtain had risen. I saw figures moving about behind the footlights. I heard talking, and round me people laughing and clapping. I believe I laughed myself, but I don't know why. I sat like one paralysed.
Then suddenly it was as if some one called me. A veil fell from my eyes, a warm stream ran through my veins. He stood there on the stage and spoke. Was it hallucination? Did I sit in his room, and was it to me he spoke? I had to pinch my arm to be quite awake and understand that I was really in the theatre, and saw my own love-story being enacted; heard all the melodies which had been softly murmured to me, entoned in rich beauty from the stage.
An involuntary shame and fear seized me. The blood shot up in my cheeks. I glanced at Emmy and at the other spectators to see if they had discovered anything.
Then I laughed off my silly fear, and sank back
