and basely betray the favours
that had been accorded to him in secret, were full of enthusiastic and
tender admiration for this victorious champion of a woman's virtue, who,
they felt, had unconsciously avenged for them many scornful slights, and
they would have gladly crowned him with laurel and myrtle, and rewarded
him with their sweetest smiles and most distinguished favour.

However, as nothing on this terraqueous and sublunary globe can long
remain a secret, it soon transpired through Maitre Bilot, who had it
direct from Jacques, the valet of the Marquis de Bruyeres, who had been
present during the momentous interview between his master and the Baron
de Sigognac, that the duke's brave antagonist was no other than the
redoubtable Captain Fracasse; or rather, a young nobleman in disguise,
who for the sake of a love affair had become a member of Herode's troupe
of travelling comedians. As to his real name, Jacques had unfortunately
forgotten it, further than that it ended in "gnac," as is not uncommon
in Gascony, but on the point of his rank he was positive. This
delightfully romantic and "ower-true tale" was received with
acclamations by the good folk of Poitiers. They were fairly overflowing
with admiration for and interest in the valiant gentleman who wielded
such a powerful blade, and the devoted lover who had left everything to
follow his mistress, and when Captain Fracasse appeared upon the stage
that evening, the prolonged and enthusiastic applause that greeted him,
and was renewed over and over again before he was allowed to speak a
single word, bore witness unmistakably to the favour with which he
was regarded; while the ladies rose in their boxes and waved their
handkerchiefs, even the grandest and most dignified among them, and
brought the palms of their gloved hands daintily together in his honour.
It was a real ovation, and best of all a spontaneous one. Isabelle
also received a perfect storm of applause, which alarmed and had
nearly overcome the retiring young actress, who blushed crimson in her
embarrassment, as she made a modest curtsey in acknowledgment of the
compliment.

Herode was overjoyed, and his face shone like the full moon as he rubbed
his hands together and grinned broadly in his exuberant delight; for the
receipts were immense, and the cash-box was full to bursting. Everybody
had rushed to the theatre to see and applaud the now famous Captain
Fracasse--the capital actor and high-spirited g