Part 16 (2/2)

Here she is!

[_Zinida walks in, alone. She looks like a drunken bacchante, or like a mad woman. Her hair falls over her shoulders dishevelled, one shoulder is uncovered. She walks unseeing, though her eyes glow. She is like the living statue of a mad Victory. Behind her comes an actor, very pale, then two clowns, and a little later Consuelo and Bezano. All look at Zinida fearfully, as if they were afraid of a touch of her hand, or her great eyes._]

BRIQUET

[_Shouting_]: You are crazy--you're a mad woman!

ZINIDA

I? No. Did you see? Did you see? Well? [_She stands smiling, with the expression of a mad Victory._]

TILLY

[_Plaintively_]: Cut it out, Zinida. Go to the devil!

ZINIDA

You saw, too! And!... what----

BRIQUET

Come home--come home. [_To the others_] You can do what you like here.

Zinida, come home.

POLLY

You can't go, Papa. There's still your number.

ZINIDA

[_Her eyes meet those of Bezano_]: Ah! Bezano. [_Laughs long and happily_.] Bezano! Alfred! Did you see? My lions _do_ love me! [_Bezano, without answering, leaves the stage. Zinida seems to wither and grow dim, as a light being extinguished. Her smile fades, her eyes and face grow pale. Briquet anxiously bends over her._]

BRIQUET

[_In a slow voice_]: A chair! [_Zinida sits. Her head drops on her shoulder, her arms fall, she begins to s.h.i.+ver and tremble. Some one calls, ”Cognac”--an actor runs to get it._]

BRIQUET

[_Helpless_]: What is the matter, Zinida darling?

MANCINI

[_Running about_]: She must quiet down. Get out, get out--vagabonds!

I'll fix everything, Papa Briquet. The wrap--where's the wrap? She's cold. [_A clown hands it to him; they cover her._]

TILLY

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