rs that
the role of Nitouche will be played by the beautiful and dashing
Mme. X.X."

Cabinski began to laugh quietly.

"Only don't breathe a word about it. You'll see what will happen.
Before him she will pretend to accept the part to show off. Halt
will immediately begin to rehearse her and will make a fool of her
before everyone. You will then take away her part and give it to
whomever you like."

"You women are terrible in your malice."

"Bah, therein lies our strength."

They went out into the garden hall where several members of the
company were already waiting for the rehearsal to begin. They sat
about on chairs in little groups laughing, joking, telling tales,
and complaining while the tuning of the orchestra furnished an
accompaniment to the buzz of voices.

On the veranda an increasing number of guests was assembling and the
hum of voices, the clatter of plates and the noisy shifting of
chairs grew ever louder. The smoke of cigarettes ascended in clouds
to the iron roof beams.

Janina Orlowska entered. She sat down at one of the tables and
inquired of the waiter:

"Can you tell me if the director of the theater has already
arrived?"

"There he is!"

"Which one of them."

"What will you have, madame?"

"I beg your pardon, which of those gentlemen is Mr. Cabinski?"

"A seven! . . . four whiskies!" someone called to the waiter from a
nearby table.

"Just a minute, just a minute!"

"Beer!" came another voice.

"Which of those gentlemen is the director?" patiently asked Janina
for the second time.

"I will serve you in a minute, madam!" said the waiter bowing on all
sides.

To Janina it seemed that they were all staring at her and that the
waiters, as they passed with their hands full of beer-glasses and
plates, cast such strange glances that she blushed in spite of
herself.

Presently the waiter returned, bringing the coffee she had ordered.

"Do you wish to see the director, madame?"

"Yes."

"He is sitting there in the first row of seats. That short man in a
white vest . . . there! Do you see him?"

"I do. Thank you!"

"Shall I tell him you wish to speak to him?"

"No. Anyway he seems to be busy."

"He is only chatting."

"And who are those gentlemen with whom he is talking?"

"They are also members of our company--actors."

She paid for the coffee, giving the waiter a ruble. He fumbled about
a long time, as though looking for change, but, seeing that she was
gazing in