Part 33 (2/2)
”Mon Dieu!” laughed Rhodo from the real scare that had succeeded his histrionic terror, ”but you have a great trick of tickling theht place, Scaramouche”
Scaramouche looked up at him and smiled ”It can be useful upon occasion,” said he, and went off to his dressing-rooe
But a reprimand awaited him He was delayed at the theatre by matters concerned with the scenery of the new piece they were to mount upon the morrow By the ti since left He called a chair and had himself carried back to the inn in solitary state It was one of many minor luxuries his comparatively affluent present circu into that upstairs roo loudly and veheht sounds of his voice whilst yet upon the stairs As he entered Binet broke off short, and wheeled to face hi that Andre-Louis did no more than look his raceful scene you provoked to-night”
”Disgraceful? Is it disgraceful that the public should applaud me?”
”The public? The rabble, you entlefolk by vulgar appeals to the low passions of the mob?”
Andre-Louis stepped past M Binet and forward to the table He shrugged conteerate grossly--as usual”
”I do not exaggerate And I am the master in my own theatre This is the Binet Troupe, and it shall be conducted in the Binet way”
”Who are the gentlefolk the loss of whose patronage to the Feydau will be so poignantly felt?” asked Andre-Louis
”You i you are After the play to-night M le Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr came to me, and spoke to me in the severest terize, and”
”The more fool you,” said Andre-Louis ”A entlean to empurple ”You call yourself the head of the Binet Troupe, you boast that you will be master in your own theatre, and you stand like a lackey to take the orders of the first insolent felloho coreen-room to tell you that he does not like a line spoken by one of your coain that had you really respected yourself you would have turned him out”
There was a murmur of approval froant tone assuainst the slur cast upon them all
”And I say further,” Andre-Louis went on, ”that a rounds, would have been only too glad to have seized this pretext to show M de La Tour d'Azyr the door”
”What do you mean by that?” There was a rumble of thunder in the question
Andre-Louis' eyes swept round the company assembled at the supper-table
”Where is Climene?” he asked, sharply
Leandre leapt up to answer hi with excitement
”She left the theatre in the Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr's carriage immediately after the performance We heard hilanced at the timepiece on the overmantel He seeo--rather ht M Binet's M Binet's eyes eluded his glance Again it was Leandre who answered him
”Not yet”
”Ah!” Andre-Louis sat down, and poured himself wine There was an oppressive silence in the rooly Even M Binet appeared to be waiting for a cue from Scaramouche But Scara to eat?” he asked
Platters were pushed towards him He helped hiood appetite M Binet sat down, poured himself wine, and drank Presently he attempted to make conversation with one and another He was answered curtly, in monosyllables M Binet did not appear to be in favour with his troupe that night