ipped into the little place that was
hardly any bigger than a large closet, and drew the door shut behind
her, as the portieres were swished apart and the rings on the pole
clattered with a terrifying noise. And then she found that she was
very weak, and that her knees were trembling as though they would give
way beneath her.

It was very dark. She dared not move for fear she might knock into
something and make a noise. She told herself that she must stand very
still. She could hear them out in the _atelier_ now in a muffled sort
of a way; they were walking around and around, and it sounded as though
they were moving things about. And then she seemed to go cold with
fear again, and a sense of dismay surged upon her. The "_Fille du
Regiment_" was uncovered! She had had no time, even if she had thought
of it, to replace the covering. What would Jean do? Would he think it
was an accident, that the wrapping had been carelessly done, would he
blame Hector, or--would he think some one had been there, that some one
was perhaps there now, and--and suppose he should come to the dressing
room door, and open it, and--and find her there!

She was frightened now, terribly afraid--more afraid than she had ever
been in her life before. If Jean should find her there, what would he
think of her? The blood rushed in a fierce crimson tide to her face.
She would rather die than that! But it was not only herself, it was
not only that--there was Jean. She had no right to obtrude herself
into his life and to disturb it. But surely--surely the _bon Dieu_
would keep him away from the door! She had been very foolish and very
wicked ever to have come, ever to have risked so much, only the
temptation had been so great, and her heart had pleaded so hard;
but--but if only no harm should come of it all this time, she would
promise that--that she would not come there any more like this at night.

Perhaps he had not seen it! Perhaps he had not noticed it! And yet it
was not just moonlight out there any more, and the _atelier_ was
lighted now, for she could see the tiny rays as they filtered in under
the door where it did not fit well over the threshold. She listened
intently, almost expecting to hear Jean cry out about the covering of
the "_Fille du Regiment_," but they still seemed to be moving around a
great deal, and the voices were indistinguishable, and she could
understand nothing of what they were saying, except only a name t