ctors and actresses of the troupe were so
good to me, always petting me, and devising all sorts of ways to please
and divert me--theatrical people are proverbially kind to comrades in
distress, you know. The pedant, who belonged to our company, and looked
just as old and wrinkled then as he does now, took the greatest interest
in me, constituted himself my master, and taught me thoroughly and
indefatigably all the secrets of the histrionic art--taking unwearied
pains with me. I could not have had a better teacher; perhaps you do not
know that he has a great reputation, even in Paris. You will wonder that
a man of his fame and attainments should be found in a strolling company
of players like this, but his unfortunate habits of intemperance have
been the cause of all his troubles. He was professor of elocution in one
of the celebrated colleges, holding an enviable and lucrative position,
but lost it because of his inveterate irregularities. He is his own
worst enemy, poor Blazius! In the midst of all the confusion and serious
disadvantages of a vagabond life, I have always been able to hold myself
somewhat apart, and remain pure and innocent. My companions, who have
known me from babyhood, look upon me as a sister or daughter, and treat
me with invariable affection and respect; and as for the men of the
outside world who haunt the coulisses, and seem to think that an actress
is public property, off the stage as well as upon it, I have thus far
managed to keep them at a distance--continuing in real life my role of
modest, ingenuous, young girl, without hypocrisy or false pretensions."

Thus, as they strolled along together, and could talk confidentially
without fear of listeners, Isabelle related the story of her life to de
Sigognac, who was a most attentive and delighted listener, and ever more
and more charmed with his fair divinity.

"And the name of the prince," said he, after a short pause, "do you
remember it?"

"I fear that it might be dangerous to my peace to disclose it," she
replied; "but it is indelibly engraven upon my memory."

"Are there any proofs remaining to you of his connection with your
mother?"

"I have in my possession a seal-ring bearing his coat of arms" Isabelle
answered; "it is the only jewel of all he had lavished upon her that my
mother kept, and that entirely on account of the associations connected
with it, not for its intrinsic value, which is small. If you would like
to see it I will b