ld not hide
himself, he could not sink into the earth, away from her contemptuous,
mocking gaze. He felt that he could not, would not bear it, and for a
moment was upon the point of flying; but there seemed to be leaden soles
to his shoes, which he could by no means raise from the ground. He
was powerless to move hand or foot, and stood there in a sort of
stupefaction; to the great astonishment of Scapin, who, thinking that
he must have forgotten his part, whispered to him the opening phrases
of his tirade. The public thought that their favourite actor desired
another round of applause, and broke out afresh, clapping, stamping,
crying bravo, making a tremendous racket, which little respite gave poor
de Sigognac time to collect his scattered senses, and, with a mighty
effort, he broke the spell that had bound him, and threw himself into
his part with such desperation that his acting was more extravagant and
telling than ever. It fairly brought down the house. The haughty Yolande
herself could not forbear to smile, and her old uncle, thoroughly
aroused, laughed heartily, and applauded with all his might. No one
but Isabelle had the slightest idea of the reason of Captain Fracasse's
unwonted fury--but she saw at once who was looking on, and knowing how
sensitive he was, realized the effect it must infallibly produce upon
him. She furtively watched the proud beauty as she modestly played her
own part, and thought, not without a keen pang through her faithful,
loving heart, that here would be a worthy mate for the Baron de
Sigognac, when he had succeeded in re-establishing the lost splendour of
his house. As to the poor young nobleman, he resolved not to glance once
again at Yolande, lest he should be seized by a sudden transport of rage
and do something utterly rash and disgraceful, but kept his eyes fixed,
whenever he could, upon his sweet, lovely Isabelle. The sight of her
dear face was balm to his wounded spirit--her love, of which he was now
so blissfully sure, consoled him for the openly manifested scorn of the
other, and from her he drew strength to go on bravely with his detested
part.

It was over at last--the piece was finished--and when de Sigognac tore
off his mask, like a man who is suffocating, his companions were alarmed
at his altered looks. He was fairly livid, and let himself fall upon a
bench standing near like a lifeless body. Seeing that he was very faint,
Blazius hastened to fetch some wine--his soverei