"Alas! monsieur," I said to him, "I have happened upon a most unsuitable time, and I fear you will not be in the least disposed to listen to me, at least with the patience I could desire."
"Oh, monsieur, I will not admit that, since I do not yet know your work," Taylor replied; "but you can guess what a trial it is to have to listen to-such stuff as I have just heard, every blessed day of my life."
"Yes, indeed, and oftener! See, here is my agenda for to-day's Committee. We are to hear an _Épaminondas._"
I heaved a sigh. My poor _Christine_ was caught between two cross-fires of classicism.
"M. le Baron," I ventured to say, "would you rather I came another day?"
"Oh! certainly not," said Taylor, "now we are here...."
"Very well," I said, "I will just read you one act, and if that tires you or bores you, you must stop me."
"All right," Taylor murmured; "you are more merciful than your confrères. And that is a good sign.... Go on, go on; I am listening."
Tremblingly I drew my play from my pocket;--it looked a terribly big volume. Taylor cast a glance on the immense bulk with such an alarmed expression that I cried out to him--
"Oh, monsieur, do not be afraid! The manuscript is only written on one side of the paper."
He breathed again. I began. I was so nervous I could not see to read; my voice shook so that I could not hear my own voice. Taylor reassured me; he was unaccustomed to such modesty! I resumed my reading, and I managed somehow to get through my first act.
"Well, monsieur, shall I go on?" I asked in a faint voice, without daring to raise my eyes.
"Certainly, certainly," Taylor replied, "go on. Upon my word, it is excellent!"
Fresh life came to me, and I read my second act with more confidence than the first. When I had finished, Taylor himself told me to go on with the third, then the fourth, then the fifth. I felt an inexpressible desire to embrace him; but I refrained, for fear of the consequences.
When the reading was finished, Taylor leapt from his bed.
"You must come to the Théâtre-Français with me," he said.
"Why, get your turn to read your play as soon as possible."
"Do you really mean it? Shall I read it to the Committee?"
"Not a day later than next Saturday." And Taylor called out, "Pierre!"