falsetto voice, as she rose with a silly expression on
her face.

When the servant had opened the door to her, Helene had pictured a
scene entirely different from this. She had imagined that she would
find Juliette displaying excessive nervousness, with pallid cheeks,
hesitating and yet allured, shivering at the very thought of
assignation. She had pictured herself imploring her to reflect, till
the young woman, choked with sobs, threw herself into her arms. Then
they would have mingled their tears together, and Helene would have
quitted her with the thought that Henri was henceforward lost to her,
but that she had secured his happiness. However, there had been
nothing of all this; she had merely fallen on this rehearsal, which
was wholly unintelligible to her; and she saw Juliette before her with
unruffled features, like one who has had a good night's rest, and with
her mind sufficiently at ease to discuss Madame Berthier's by-play,
without troubling herself in the least degree about what she would do
in the afternoon. This indifference and frivolity chilled Helene, who
had come to the house with passion consuming her.

A longing to speak fell on her. At a venture she inquired: "Who will
play the part of Chavigny?"

"Why, Malignon, of course," answered Juliette, turning round with an
air of astonishment. "He played Chavigny all last winter. It's a
nuisance he can't come to the rehearsals. Listen, ladies; I'm going to
read Chavigny's part. Unless that's done, we shall never get on."

Thereupon she herself began acting the man's part, her voice deepening
unconsciously, whilst she assumed a cavalier air in harmony with the
situation. Madame Berthier renewed her warbling tones, and Madame de
Guiraud took infinite pains to be lively and witty. When Pierre came
in to put some more wood on the fire he slyly glanced at the ladies,
who amused him immensely.

Helene, still fixed in her resolve, despite some heart-shrinking,
attempted however to take Juliette aside.

"Only a minute. I've something to say to you."

"Oh, impossible, my dear! You see how much I am engaged. To-morrow, if
you have the time."

Helene said no more. The young woman's unconcern displeased her. She
felt anger growing within her as she observed how calm and collected
Juliette was, when she herself had endured such intense agony since
the night before. At one moment she was on the point of rising and
letting things take their course. It was exceedi