CHAPTERI。
\"Iwonderedwhetheryouwouldn’treadittome，\"saidMrs。Alsager，astheylingeredalittlenearthefirebeforehetookleave。Shelookeddownatthefiresideways，drawingherdressawayfromitandmakingherproposalwithashysinceritythataddedtohercharm。
HercharmwasalwaysgreatforAllanWayworth，andthewholeairofherhouse，whichwassimplyasortofdistillationofherself，sosoothing，sobeguilingthathealwaysmadeseveralfalsestartsbeforedeparture。Hehadspentsomesuchgoodhoursthere，hadforgotten，inherwarm，goldendrawing—room，somuchofthelonelinessandsomanyoftheworriesofhislife，thatithadcometobetheimmediateanswertohislongings，thecureforhisaches，theharbourofrefugefromhisstorms。Histribulationswerenotunprecedented，andsomeofhisadvantages，ifofausualkind，weremarkedindegree，inasmuchashewasverycleverforonesoyoung，andveryindependentforonesopoor。Hewaseight—and—twenty，buthehadlivedagooddealandwasfullofambitionsandcuriositiesanddisappointments。TheopportunitytotalkofsomeoftheseinGrosvenorPlacecorrectedperceptiblytheimmenseinconvenienceofLondon。ThisinconveniencetookforhimprincipallythelineofinsensibilitytoAllanWayworth’sliteraryform。Hehadaliteraryform，orhethoughthehad，andherintelligentrecognitionofthecircumstancewasthesweetestconsolationMrs。Alsagercouldhaveadministered。Shewasevenmoreliteraryandmoreartisticthanhe，inasmuchashecouldoftenworkoffhisoverflow（thiswashisoccupation，hisprofession），whilethegenerouswoman，aboundinginhappythoughts，butuneditedandunpublished，stoodthereintherisingtidelikethenymphofafountainintheplashofthemarblebasin。
Theyearbefore，inabignewspaperyhouse，hehadfoundhimselfnextheratdinner，andtheyhadconvertedtheintenselymaterialhourintoafeastofreason。Therewasnomotiveforheraskinghimtocometoseeherbutthatshelikedhim，whichitwasthemoreagreeabletohimtoperceiveasheperceivedatthesametimethatshewasexquisite。Shewasenviablyfreetoactuponherlikings，anditmadeWayworthfeellessunsuccessfultoinferthatforthemomenthehappenedtobeoneofthem。Hekepttherevelationtohimself，andindeedtherewasnothingtoturnhisheadinthekindnessofakindwoman。Mrs。Alsageroccupiedsocompletelythegroundofpossessionthatshewouldhavebeencondemnedtoinactionhaditnotbeenfortheprincipleofgiving。Herhusband，whowastwentyyearshersenior，amassivepersonalityintheCityandaheavyoneathome（whereverhestood，orevensat，hewasmonumental），ownedhalfabignewspaperandthewholeofagreatmanyotherthings。Headmiredhiswife，thoughsheborenochildren，andlikedhertohaveothertastesthanhis，asthatseemedtogiveagreateracreagetotheirlife。Hisownappetiteswentsofarhecouldscarcelyseetheboundary，andhistheorywastotrusthertopushthelimitsofhers，sothatbetweenthemthepairshouldastoundbytheirconsumption。Hisideaswereprodigiouslyvulgar，butsomeofthemhadthegoodfortunetobecarriedoutbyapersonofperfectdelicacy。Herdelicacymadeherplaystrangetrickswiththem，butheneverfoundthisout。Sheattenuatedhimwithouthisknowingit，forwhathemainlythoughtwasthathehadaggrandisedHER。Withoutherhereallywouldhavebeenbiggerstill，andsociety，breathingmorefreely，waspracticallyunderanobligationtoherwhich，todoitjustice，itacknowledgedbyanattitudeofmystifiedrespect。Shefeltatremulousneedtothrowherlibertyandherleisureintothethingsofthesoul——themostbeautifulthingssheknew。Shefoundthem，whenshegavetimetoseeking，inahundredplaces，andparticularlyinadimandsacredregion——theregionofactivepity——
overherentranceintowhichshedroppedcurtainssothickthatitwouldhavebeenanimpertinencetoliftthem。Butshecultivatedotherbeneficentpassions，andifshecherishedthedreamofsomethingfinethemomentsatwhichitmostseemedtohertocometruewerewhenshesawbeautypluckedflower—likeinthegardenofart。Shelovedtheperfectwork——shehadtheartisticchord。Thischordcouldvibrateonlytothetouchofanother，sothatappreciation，inherspirit，hadtheaddedintensityofregret。Shecouldunderstandthejoyofcreation，andshethoughtitscarcelyenoughtobetoldthatsheherselfcreatedhappiness。Shewouldhaveliked，atanyrate，tochooseherway；butitwasjustherethatherlibertyfailedher。Shehadnotthevoice——shehadonlythevision。
Theonlyenvyshewascapableofwasdirectedtothosewho，asshesaid，coulddosomething。
Aseverythinginher，however，turnedtogentleness，shewasadmirablyhospitabletosuchpeopleasaclass。ShebelievedAllanWayworthcoulddosomething，andshelikedtohearhimtalkofthewaysinwhichhemeanttoshowit。Hetalkedofthemalmosttonooneelse——shespoiledhimforotherlisteners。Withherfairbloomandherquietgraceshewasindeedanidealpublic，andifshehadeverconfidedtohimthatshewouldhavelikedtoscribble（shehadinfactnotmentionedittoacreature），hewouldhavebeeninaperfectpositionforaskingherwhyawomanwhosefacehadsomuchexpressionshouldnothavefeltthatsheachieved。Howintheworldcouldsheexpressbetter？TherewaslessthanthatinShakespeareandBeethoven。Shehadneverbeenmoregenerousthanwhen，incompliancewithherinvitation，whichIhaverecorded，hebroughthisplaytoreadtoher。Hehadspokenofittoherbefore，andonedarkNovemberafternoon，whenherredfiresidewasmorethaneveranescapefromtheplaceandtheseason，hehadbrokenoutashecamein——\"I’vedoneit，I’vedoneit！\"Shemadehimtellherallaboutit——shetookaninterestreallyminuteandaskedquestionsdelightfullyapt。Shehadspokenfromthefirstasifhewereonthepointofbeingacted，makinghimjump，withherparticipation，allsortsofdrearyintervals。Shelikedthetheatreasshelikedalltheartsofexpression，andhehadknownhertogoallthewaytoParisforaparticularperformance。Oncehehadgonewithher——thetimeshetookthatstupidMrs。Mostyn。Shehadbeenstruck，whenhesketchedit，withthesubjectofhisdrama，andhadspokenwordsthathelpedhimtobelieveinit。Assoonashehadrungdownhiscurtainonthelastactherushedofftoseeher，butafterthathekeptthethingforrepeatedlasttouches。Finally，onChristmasday，byarrangement，shesatthereandlistenedtoit。Itwasinthreeactsandinprose，butratheroftheromanticorder，thoughdealingwithcontemporaryEnglishlife，andhefondlybelievedthatitshowedthehandifnotofthemaster，atleastoftheprizepupil。
AllanWayworthhadreturnedtoEngland，attwo—and—twenty，afteramiscellaneouscontinentaleducation；hisfather，thecorrespondent，foryears，inseveralforeigncountriessuccessively，ofaconspicuousLondonjournal，haddiedjustafterthis，leavinghismotherandhertwootherchildren，portionlessgirls，tosubsistonaverysmallincomeinaverydullGermantown。Theyoungman’sbeginningsinLondonweredifficult，andhehadaggravatedthembyhisdislikeofjournalism。Hisfather’sconnectionwithitwouldhavehelpedhim，buthewas（insanely，mostofhisfriendsjudged——
thegreatexceptionwasalwaysMrs。Alsager）INTRAITABLEonthequestionofform。Form——inhissense——wasnotdemandedbyEnglishnewspapers，andhecouldn’tgiveittotheminTHEIRsense。Thedemandforitwasnotgreatanywhere，andWayworthspentcostlyweeksinpolishinglittlecompositionsformagazinesthatdidn’tpayforstyle。TheonlypersonwhopaidforitwasreallyMrs。Alsager：shehadaninfallibleinstinctfortheperfect。Shepaidinherownway，andifAllanWayworthhadbeenawage—earningpersonitwouldhavemadehimfeelthatifhedidn’treceivehislegaldueshispalmwasatleastoccasionallyconsciousofagratuity。Hehadhislimitations，hisperversities，butthefinestpartsofhimwerethemostalive，andhewasrestlessandsincere。ItishowevertheimpressionheproducedonMrs。Alsagerthatmostconcernsus：shethoughthimnotonlyremarkablygood—lookingbutaltogetheroriginal。
Thereweresomeusualbadthingshewouldneverdo——toomanyprohibitivepuddlesforhimintheshortcuttosuccess。
Forhimself，hehadneverbeensohappyassincehehadseenhisway，ashefondlybelieved，tosomesortofmasteryofthescenicidea，whichstruckhimasaverydifferentmatternowthathelookedatitfromwithin。Hehadhadhisearlydaysofcontemptforit，whenitseemedtohimajewel，dimatthebest，hiddeninadunghill，ataperburninglowinanairthickwithvulgarity。Itwashedgedaboutwithsordidapproaches，itwasnotworthsacrificeandsuffering。Themanofletters，indealingwithit，wouldhavetoputoffallliterature，whichwaslikeaskingthebearerofanoblenametoforegohisimmemorialheritage。Aspectschange，however，withthepointofview：Wayworthhadwakeduponemorninginadifferentbedaltogether。Itisneedlessheretotracethisaccidenttoitssource；itwouldhavebeenmuchmoreinterestingtoaspectatoroftheyoungman’slifetofollowsomeoftheconsequences。Hehadbeenmade（ashefelt）thesubjectofaspecialrevelation，andheworehishatlikeamaninlove。Anangelhadtakenhimbythehandandguidedhimtotheshabbydoorwhichopens，itappeared，intoaninteriorbothsplendidandaustere。Thescenicideawasmagnificentwhenonceyouhadembracedit——thedramaticformhadapuritywhichmadesomeotherslookingloriouslyrough。Ithadthehighdignityoftheexactsciences，itwasmathematicalandarchitectural。Itwasfulloftherefreshmentofcalculationandconstruction，theincorruptibilityoflineandlaw。Itwasbare，butitwaserect，itwaspoor，butitwasnoble；itremindedhimofsomesovereignfamedforjusticewhoshouldhavelivedinapalacedespoiled。Therewasafearfulamountofconcessioninit，butwhatyoukepthadarareintensity。Youwereperpetuallythrowingoverthecargotosavetheship，butwhatamotionyougaveherwhenyoumadeherridethewaves——amotionasrhythmicasthedanceofagoddess！WayworthtooklongLondonwalksandthoughtofthesethings——Londonpouredintohisearsthemightyhumofitssuggestion。Hisimaginationglowedandmelteddownmaterial，hisintentionsmultipliedandmadetheairagoldenhaze。Hesawnotonlythethingheshoulddo，butthenextandthenextandthenext；thefutureopenedbeforehimandheseemedtowalkonmarbleslabs。Themorehetriedthedramaticformthemorehelovedit，themorehelookedatitthemoreheperceivedinit。Whatheperceivedinitindeedhenowperceivedeverywhere；ifhestopped，intheLondondusk，beforesomeflaringshop—window，theplaceimmediatelyconstituteditselfbehindfootlights，becameaframedstageforhisfigures。Hehammeredatthesefiguresinhislonelylodging，heshapedthemandheshapedtheirtabernacle；hewaslikeagoldsmithchisellingacasket，bentoverwiththepassionforperfection。Whenhewasneitherroamingthestreetswithhisvisionnorworryinghisproblemathistable，hewasexchangingideasonthegeneralquestionwithMrs。Alsager，towhomhepromiseddetailsthatwouldamuseherinlaterandstillhappierhours。Hereyeswerefulloftearswhenhereadherthelastwordsofthefinishedwork，andshemurmured，divinely—
\"Andnow——togetitdone，togetitdone！\"
\"Yes，indeed——togetitdone！\"Wayworthstaredatthefire，slowlyrollinguphistype—copy。\"Butthat’satotallydifferentpartofthebusiness，andaltogethersecondary。\"
\"Butofcourseyouwanttobeacted？\"
\"OfcourseIdo——butit’sasuddendescent。Iwanttointensely，butI’msorryIwantto。\"
\"It’sthereindeedthatthedifficultiesbegin，\"saidMrs。Alsager，alittleoffherguard。
\"Howcanyousaythat？It’stherethattheyend！\"
\"Ah，waittoseewheretheyend！\"
\"Imeanthey’llnowbeofatotallydifferentorder，\"Wayworthexplained。\"Itseemstometherecanbenothingintheworldmoredifficultthantowriteaplaythatwillstandanall—roundtest，andthatincomparisonwiththemthecomplicationsthatspringupatthispointareofanaltogethersmallerkind。\"
\"Yes，they’renotinspiring，\"saidMrs。Alsager；\"they’rediscouraging，becausethey’revulgar。Theotherproblem，theworkingoutofthethingitself，ispureart。\"
\"Howwellyouunderstandeverything！\"Theyoungmanhadgotup，nervously，andwasleaningagainstthechimney—piecewithhisbacktothefireandhisarmsfolded。Therollofhiscopy，inhisfist，wassqueezedintothehollowofoneofthem。HelookeddownatMrs。
Alsager，smilinggratefully，andsheansweredhimwithasmilefromeyesstillcharmedandsuffused。\"Yes，thevulgaritywillbeginnow，\"hepresentlyadded。
\"You’llsufferdreadfully。\"
\"Ishallsufferinagoodcause。\"
\"Yes，givingTHATtotheworld！Youmustleaveitwithme，Imustreaditoverandover，\"Mrs。Alsagerpleaded，risingtocomeneareranddrawthecopy，initscoverofgreenish—greypaper，whichhadagenericidentitynowtohim，outofhisgrasp。\"Whointheworldwilldoit？——whointheworldCAN？\"shewenton，closetohim，turningovertheleaves。Beforehecouldanswershehadstoppedatoneofthepages；sheturnedthebookroundtohim，pointingoutaspeech。\"That’sthemostbeautifulplace——thoselinesareaperfection。\"Heglancedatthespotsheindicated，andshebeggedhimtoreadthemagain——hehadreadthemadmirablybefore。Heknewthembyheart，and，closingthebookwhilesheheldtheotherendofit，hemurmuredthemovertoher——theyhadindeedacadencethatpleasedhim——watching，withafacetiouscomplacencywhichhehopedwaspardonable，theapplauseinherface。\"Ah，whocanuttersuchlinesasTHAT？\"Mrs。Alsagerbrokeout；\"whomcanyoufindtodoHER？\"
\"We’llfindpeopletodothemall！\"
\"Butnotpeoplewhoareworthy。\"
\"They’llbeworthyenoughifthey’rewillingenough。I’llworkwiththem——I’llgrinditintothem。\"Hespokeasifhehadproducedtwentyplays。
\"Oh，itwillbeinteresting！\"sheechoed。
\"ButIshallhavetofindmytheatrefirst。Ishallhavetogetamanagertobelieveinme。\"
\"Yes——they’resostupid！\"
\"ButfancythepatienceIshallwant，andhowIshallhavetowatchandwait，\"saidAllanWayworth。\"DoyouseemehawkingitaboutLondon？\"
\"IndeedIdon’t——itwouldbesickening。\"
\"It’swhatIshallhavetodo。Ishallbeoldbeforeit’sproduced。\"
\"Ishallbeoldverysoonifitisn’t！\"Mrs。Alsagercried。\"Iknowoneortwoofthem，\"shemused。
\"Doyoumeanyouwouldspeaktothem？\"
\"Thethingistogetthemtoreadit。Icoulddothat。\"
\"That’stheutmostIask。Butit’sevenforthatIshallhavetowait。\"
Shelookedathimwithkindsisterlyeyes。\"Yousha’n’twait。\"
\"Ah，youdearlady！\"Wayworthmurmured。
\"ThatisYOUmay，but_I_won’t！Willyouleavemeyourcopy？\"shewenton，turningthepagesagain。
\"Certainly；Ihaveanother。\"Standingnearhimshereadtoherselfapassagehereandthere；then，inhersweetvoice，shereadsomeofthemout。\"Oh，ifYOUwereonlyanactress！\"theyoungmanexclaimed。
\"That’sthelastthingIam。There’snocomedyinME！\"
ShehadneverappearedtoWayworthsomuchhisgoodgenius。\"Isthereanytragedy？\"heasked，withthelevityofcompleteconfidence。
Sheturnedawayfromhim，atthis，withastrangeandcharminglaughanda\"Perhapsthatwillbeforyoutodetermine！\"ButbeforehecoulddisclaimsucharesponsibilityshehadfacedhimagainandwastalkingaboutNonaVincentasifshehadbeenthemostinterestingoftheirfriendsandhersituationatthatmomentanirresistibleappealtotheirsympathy。NonaVincentwastheheroineoftheplay，andMrs。Alsagerhadtakenatremendousfancytoher。\"Ican’tTELLyouhowIlikethatwoman！\"sheexclaimedinapensiveraptureofcredulitywhichcouldonlybebalmtotheartisticspirit。
\"I’mawfullygladshelivesabit。WhatIfeelaboutheristhatshe’sagooddeallikeYOU，\"Wayworthobserved。
Mrs。Alsagerstaredaninstantandturnedfaintlyred。Thiswasevidentlyaviewthatfailedtostrikeher；shedidn’t，however，treatitasajoke。\"I’mnotimpressedwiththeresemblance。I
don’tseemyselfdoingwhatshedoes。\"
\"Itisn’tsomuchwhatsheDOES，\"theyoungmanargued，drawingouthismoustache。
\"Butwhatshedoesisthewholepoint。Shesimplytellsherlove——I
shouldneverdothat。\"
\"Ifyourepudiatesuchaproceedingwithsuchenergy，whydoyoulikeherforit？\"
\"Itisn’twhatIlikeherfor。\"
\"Whatelse，then？That’sintenselycharacteristic。\"
Mrs。Alsagerreflected，lookingdownatthefire；shehadtheairofhavinghalf—a—dozenreasonstochoosefrom。Buttheonesheproducedwasunexpectedlysimple；itmightevenhavebeenpromptedbydespairatnotfindingothers。\"IlikeherbecauseYOUmadeher！\"sheexclaimedwithalaugh，movingagainawayfromhercompanion。
Wayworthlaughedstilllouder。\"Youmadeheralittleyourself。
I’vethoughtofheraslookinglikeyou。\"
\"Sheoughttolookmuchbetter，\"saidMrs。Alsager。\"No，certainly，Ishouldn’tdowhatSHEdoes。\"
\"Noteveninthesamecircumstances？\"
\"Ishouldneverfindmyselfinsuchcircumstances。They’reexactlyyourplay，andhavenothingincommonwithsuchalifeasmine。
However，\"Mrs。Alsagerwenton，\"herbehaviourwasnaturalforHER，andnotonlynatural，but，itseemstome，thoroughlybeautifulandnoble。Ican’tsufficientlyadmirethetalentandtactwithwhichyoumakeoneacceptit，andItellyoufranklythatit’sevidenttometheremustbeabrilliantfuturebeforeayoungmanwho，atthestart，hasbeencapableofsuchastrokeasthat。ThankheavenIcanadmireNonaVincentasintenselyasIfeelthatIdon’tresembleher！\"
\"Don’texaggeratethat，\"saidAllanWayworth。
\"Myadmiration？\"
\"Yourdissimilarity。Shehasyourface，yourair，yourvoice，yourmotion；shehasmanyelementsofyourbeing。\"
\"Thenshe’lldamnyourplay！\"Mrs。Alsagerreplied。Theyjokedalittleoverthis，thoughitwasnotinthetoneofpleasantrythatWayworth’shostesssoonremarked：\"You’vegotyourremedy，however：
haveherdonebytherightwoman。\"
\"Oh，haveher’done’——haveher’done’！\"theyoungmangentlywailed。
\"Iseewhatyoumean，mypoorfriend。Whatapity，whenit’ssuchamagnificentpart——suchachanceforacleverseriousgirl！NonaVincentispracticallyyourplay——itwillbeopentohertocarryitfarortodropitatthefirstcorner。\"
\"It’sacharmingprospect，\"saidAllanWayworth，withsuddenscepticism。Theylookedateachotherwitheyesthat，foraluridmoment，sawtheworstoftheworst；butbeforetheypartedtheyhadexchangedvowsandconfidencesthatwerededicatedwhollytotheideal。Itisnottobesupposed，however，thattheknowledgethatMrs。AlsagerwouldhelphimmadeWayworthlesseagertohelphimself。
Hedidwhathecouldandfeltthatshe，onherside，wasdoingnoless；butattheendofayearhewasobligedtorecognisethattheirunitedefforthadmainlyproducedthefineflowerofdiscouragement。
Attheendofayearthelustrehad，tohisowneyes，quitefadedfromhisunappreciatedmasterpiece，andhefoundhimselfwritingforabiographicaldictionarylittlelivesofcelebritieshehadneverheardof。Tobeprinted，anywhereandanyhow，wasaformofgloryforamansounabletobeacted，andtobepaid，evenatencyclopaedicrates，hadtheconsequenceofmakingoneresignedandverbose。Hecouldn’tsmugglestyleintoadictionary，buthecouldatleastreflectthathehaddonehisbesttolearnfromthedramathatitisagrossimpertinencealmostanywhere。HehadknockedatthedoorofeverytheatreinLondon，and，ataruinousexpense，hadmultipliedtype—copiesofNonaVincenttoreplacetheneattranscriptsthathaddescendedintothemanagerialabyss。Hisplaywasnotevendeclined——nosuchflatteringintimationwasgivenhimthatithadbeenread。WhatthemanagerswoulddoforMrs。Alsagerconcernedhimlittletoday；thethingthatwasrelevantwasthattheywoulddonothingforHIM。Thatcharmingwomanfelthumbledtotheearth，solittleresponsehadshehadfromthepowersonwhichshecounted。Thetwonevertalkedabouttheplaynow，buthetriedtoshowherastillfinerfriendship，thatshemightnotthinkhefeltshehadfailedhim。HestillwalkedaboutLondonwithhisdreams，butasmonthssucceededmonthsandhelefttheyearbehindhimtheyweredreamsnotsomuchofsuccessasofrevenge。Successseemedacolourlessnamefortherewardofhispatience；somethingfiercelyflorid，somethingsanguinolentwasmoretothepoint。Hisbestconsolationhoweverwasstillinthescenicidea；itwasnottillnowthathediscoveredhowincurablyhewasinlovewithit。Bythetimeavainsecondyearhadchafeditselfawayhecherishedhisfruitlessfacultythemorefortheobloquyitseemedtosuffer。Helived，inhisbesthours，inaworldofsubjectsandsituations；hewroteanotherplayandmadeitasdifferentfromitspredecessorassuchaverygoodthingcouldbe。Itmightbeaverygoodthing，butwhenhehadcommittedittothetheatricallimboindiscriminatingfatetooknoaccountofthedifference。HewasatlastabletoleaveEnglandforthreeorfourmonths；hewenttoGermanytopayavisitlongdeferredtohismotherandsisters。
ShortlybeforethetimehehadfixedforhisreturnhereceivedfromMrs。Alsageratelegramconsistingofthewords：\"Loderwishesseeyou——puttingNonainstantrehearsal。\"Hespentthefewhoursbeforehisdepartureinkissinghismotherandsisters，whoknewenoughaboutMrs。Alsagertojudgeitluckythisrespectablemarriedladywasnotthere——arelief，however，accompaniedwithspeculativeglancesatLondonandthemorrow。Loder，asouryoungmanwasaware，meantthenew\"Renaissance，\"butthoughhereachedhomeintheeveningitwasnottothisconvenientmoderntheatrethatWayworthfirstproceeded。HespentalatehourwithMrs。Alsager，anhourthatthrobbedwithcalculation。ShetoldhimthatMr。Loderwascharming，hehadsimplytakenuptheplayinitsturn；hehadhopesofit，moreover，thatonthepartofaprofessionalpessimistmightalmostbequalifiedasecstatic。Ithadbeencast，withamarginforobjections，andVioletGreywastodotheheroine。Shehadbeencapable，whilehewasaway，ofagoodpieceofworkatthatfoggyoldplayhousethe\"Legitimate；\"thepiecewasaclumsyrechauffe，butsheatleasthadbeenfresh。WayworthrememberedVioletGrey——hadn’the，fortwoyears，onafondpolicyof\"lookingout，\"keptdippingintotheLondontheatrestopickupprospectiveinterpreters？Hehadnotpickedupmanyasyet，andthisyoungladyatalleventshadneverwriggledinhisnet。Shewasprettyandshewasodd，buthehadneverprefiguredherasNonaVincent，norindeedfoundhimselfattractedbywhathealreadyfeltsufficientlylaunchedintheprofessiontospeakofasherartisticpersonality。Mrs。Alsagerwasdifferent——shedeclaredthatshehadbeenstrucknotalittlebysomeofhertones。Thegirlwasinterestinginthethingatthe\"Legitimate，\"andMr。Loder，whohadhiseyeonher，describedherasambitiousandintelligent。Shewantedawfullytogeton——andsomeofthoseladiesweresolazy！Wayworthwassceptical——hehadseenMissVioletGrey，whowasterriblyitinerant，inadozentheatresbutonlyinoneaspect。NonaVincenthadadozenaspects，butonlyonetheatre；yetwithwhatafeverishcuriositytheyoungmanpromisedhimselftowatchtheactressonthemorrow！TalkingthematteroverwithMrs。Alsagernowseemedtheverystuffthatrehearsalwasmadeof。Thenearprospectofbeingactedlaidafingerevenonthelipofinquiry；hewantedtogoontiptoetillthefirstnight，tomakenoconditionbutthattheyshouldspeakhislines，andhefeltthathewouldn’tsomuchasraiseaneyebrowatthescene—painterifheshouldgivehimanoldoakchamber。
Hebecameconscious，thenextday，thathisdangerwouldbeotherthanthis，andyethecouldn’thaveexpressedtohimselfwhatitwouldbe。Dangerwasthere，doubtless——dangerwaseverywhere，intheworldofart，andstillmoreintheworldofcommerce；butwhathereallyseemedtocatch，forthehour，wasthebeatingofthewingsofvictory。Nothingcouldunderminethat，sinceitwasvictorysimplytobeacted。Itwouldbevictoryeventobeactedbadly；areflectionthatdidn’tpreventhim，however，frombanishing，inhispoliticoptimism，theword\"bad\"fromhisvocabulary。Ithadnoapplication，inthecompromiseofpractice；itdidn’tapplyeventohisplay，whichhewasconscioushehadalreadyoutlivedandastowhichheforesawthat，inthecomingweeks，frequentalarmwouldalternate，inhisspirit，withfrequentesteem。Whenhewentdowntotheduskydaylittheatre（itarchedoverhimlikethetempleoffame）
Mr。Loder，whowasascharmingasMrs。Alsagerhadannounced，struckhimasthegeniusofhospitality。Themanagerbegantoexplainwhy，forsolong，hehadgivennosign；butthatwasthelastthingthatinterestedWayworthnow，andhecouldneverrememberafterwardswhatreasonsMr。Loderhadenumerated。Heliked，inthewholebusinessofdiscussionandpreparation，eventhethingshehadthoughtheshouldprobablydislike，andherevelledinthosehehadthoughtheshouldlike。HewatchedMissVioletGreythateveningwitheyesthatsoughttopenetrateherpossibilities。Shecertainlyhadafew；theywerequalitiesofvoiceandface，qualitiesperhapsevenofintelligence；
hesatthereatanyratewithafostering，coaxingattention，repeatingovertohimselfasconvincinglyashecouldthatshewasnotcommon——acircumstanceallthemorecreditableasthepartshewasplayingseemedtohimdesperatelyso。Heperceivedthatthiswaswhyitpleasedtheaudience；hedivinedthatitwastheparttheyenjoyedratherthantheactress。Hehadaprivatepanic，wonderinghow，iftheylikedTHATform，theycouldpossiblylikehis。Hisformhadnowbecomequiteanultimateideatohim。BythetimetheeveningwasoversomeofMissVioletGrey’sfeatures，severaloftheturnsofherhead，acertainvibrationofhervoice，hadtakentheirplaceinthesamecategory。SheWASinteresting，shewasdistinguished；atanyratehehadacceptedher：itcametothesamething。Butheleftthetheatrethatnightwithoutspeakingtoher——
moved（alittleeventohisownmystification）byanoddprocrastinatingimpulse。Onthemorrowhewastoreadhisthreeactstothecompany，andthenheshouldhaveagooddealtosay；whathefeltforthemomentwasavagueindispositiontocommithimself。
MoreoverhefoundaslightconfusionofannoyanceinthefactthatthoughhehadbeentryingalltheeveningtolookatNonaVincentinVioletGrey’sperson，whatsubsistedinhisvisionwassimplyVioletGreyinNona’s。Hedidn’twishtoseetheactresssodirectly，orevensosimplyasthat；andithadbeenveryfatiguing，theefforttofocusNonaboththroughtheperformerandthroughthe\"Legitimate。\"
BeforehewenttobedthatnighthepostedthreewordstoMrs。
Alsager——\"She’snotabitlikeit，butIdaresayIcanmakeherdo。\"
Hewaspleasedwiththewaytheactresslistened，thenextday，atthereading；hewaspleasedindeedwithmanythings，atthereading，andmostofallwiththereadingitself。Thewholeaffairloomedlargetohimandhemagnifieditandmappeditout。Heenjoyedhisoccupationofthebig，dim，hollowtheatre，fulloftheechoesof\"effect\"andofaqueersmellofgasandsuccess——itallseemedsuchapassivecanvasforhispicture。Forthefirsttimeinhislifehewasincommandofresources；hewasacquaintedwiththephrase，buthadneverthoughtheshouldknowthefeeling。HewassurprisedatwhatLoderappearedreadytodo，thoughheremindedhimselfthathemustnevershowit。Heforesawthattherewouldbetwodistinctconcomitantstotheartisticeffortofproducingaplay，oneconsistingofagreatdealofanguishandtheotherofagreatdealofamusement。Helookedbackuponthereading，afterwards，asthebesthourinthebusiness，becauseitwasthenthatthepiecehadmoststruckhimasrepresented。Whatcamelaterwasthedoingofothers；butthis，withitsimperfectionsandfailures，wasallhisown。Thedramalived，atanyrate，forthathour，withanintensitythatitwaspromptlytoloseinthepovertyandpatchinessofrehearsal；hecouldseeitslifereflected，inawaythatwassweettohim，inthestillnessofthelittlesemi—circleofattentiveandinscrutable，ofwater—proofedandmuddy—booted，actors。MissVioletGreywastheauditorhehadmosttosayto，andhetriedonthespot，acrosstheshabbystage，toletherhavethesoulofherpart。Herattitudewasgraceful，butthoughsheappearedtolistenwithallherfacultiesherfaceremainedperfectlyblank；afact，however，notdiscouragingtoWayworth，wholikedherbetterfornotbeingpremature。Hercompanionsgavediscerniblesignsofrecognisingthepassagesofcomedy；yetWayworthforgavehereventhenforbeinginexpressive。Sheevidentlywishedbeforeeverythingelsetobesimplysureofwhatitwasallabout。
HewasmoresurprisedeventhanattherevelationofthescaleonwhichMr。Loderwasreadytoproceedbythediscoverythatsomeoftheactorsdidn’tliketheirparts，andhisheartsankasheaskedhimselfwhathecouldpossiblydowiththemiftheyweregoingtobesostupid。Thiswasthefirstofhisdisappointments；somehowhehadexpectedeveryindividualtobecomeinstantlyandgratefullyconsciousofarareopportunity，andfromthemomentsuchacalculationfailedhewasatsea，ormindfulatanyratethatmoredisappointmentswouldcome。Itwasimpossibletomakeoutwhatthemanagerlikedordisliked；nojudgment，nocommentescapedhim；hisacceptanceoftheplayandhisviewsaboutthewayitshouldbemountedhadapparentlyconvertedhimintoaveiledandshroudedfigure。Wayworthwasabletograsptheideathattheywouldallmovenowinahigherandsharperairthanthatofcomplimentandconfidence。WhenhetalkedwithVioletGreyafterthereadinghegatheredthatshewasreallyrathercrude：whatbetterproofofitcouldtherebethanherfailuretobreakoutinstantlywithanexpressionofdelightabouthergreatchance？Thisreserve，however，hadevidentlynothingtodowithhighpretensions；shehadnowishtomakehimfeelthatapersonofhereminencewassuperiortoeasyraptures。Heguessed，afteralittle，thatshewaspuzzledandevensomewhatfrightened——toacertainextentshehadnotunderstood。
Nothingcouldappealtohimmorethantheopportunitytoclearupherdifficulties，inthecourseoftheexaminationofwhichhequicklydiscoveredthat，sofarassheHADunderstood，shehadunderstoodwrong。Ifshewascrudeitwasonlyareasonthemorefortalkingtoher；hekeptsayingtoher\"Askme——askme：askmeeverythingyoucanthinkof。\"
Sheaskedhim，shewasperpetuallyaskinghim，andatthefirstrehearsals，whichwerewithoutformandvoidtoadegreethatmadethemstrikehimmuchmoreasthedeathofanexperimentthanasthedawnofasuccess，theythreshedthingsoutimmenselyinacornerofthestage，withtheeffectofhiscomingtofeelthatatanyrateshewasinearnest。Hefeltmoreandmorethathisheroinewasthekeystoneofhisarch，forwhichindeedtheactresswasveryreadytotakeher。Butwhenheremindedthisyoungladyofthewaythewholethingpracticallydependedonhershewasalarmedandevenslightlyscandalised：shespokemorethanonceasifthatcouldscarcelybetherightwaytoconstructaplay——makeitstandorfallbyonepoornervousgirl。Shewasalmostmorbidlyconscientious，andintheoryhelikedherforthis，thoughhelostpatiencethreeorfourtimeswiththethingsshecouldn’tdoandthethingsshecould。Atsuchtimesthetearscametohereyes；buttheywereproducedbyherownstupidity，shehastenedtoassurehim，notbythewayhespoke，whichwasawfullykindunderthecircumstances。Hersinceritymadeherbeautiful，andhewishedtoheaven（andmadeapointoftellingherso）thatshecouldsprinklealittleofitoverNona。Once，however，shewassotouchedandtroubledthatthesightofitbroughtthetearsforaninstanttohisowneyes；anditsohappenedthat，turningatthismoment，hefoundhimselffacetofacewithMr。Loder。
Themanagerstared，glancedattheactress，whoturnedintheotherdirection，andthensmilingatWayworth，exclaimed，withthehumourofamanwhoheardthegallerylaugheverynight：
\"Isay——Isay！\"
\"What’sthematter？\"Wayworthasked。
\"I’mgladtoseeMissGreyistakingsuchpainswithyou。\"
\"Oh，yes——she’llturnmeout！\"saidtheyoungman，gaily。HewasquiteawarethatitwasapparenthewasnotsuperficialaboutNona，andabundantlydetermined，intothebargain，thattherehearsalofthepieceshouldnotsacrificeashadeofthoroughnesstoanyextrinsicconsideration。
Mrs。Alsager，whom，lateintheafternoon，heusedoftentogoandaskforacupoftea，thankingherinadvancefortherestshegavehimandtellingherhowhefoundthatrehearsal（asTHEYweredoingit——itwasacaution！）tookitoutofone——Mrs。Alsager，moreandmorehisgoodgeniusand，asherepeatedlyassuredher，hisministeringangel，confirmedhiminthissuperiorpolicyandurgedhimontoeveryformofartisticdevotion。Shehad，naturally，neverbeenmoreinterestedthannowinhiswork；shewantedtoheareverythingabouteverything。Shetreatedhimasheroicallyfatigued，pliedhimwithluxuriousrestoratives，madehimstretchhimselfoncushionsandrose—leaves。Theygossippedmorethanever，byherfire，abouttheartisticlife；heconfidedtoher，forinstance，allhishopesandfears，allhisexperimentsandanxieties，onthesubjectoftherepresentativeofNona。Shewasimmenselyinterestedinthisyoungladyandshoweditbytakingaboxagainandagain（shehadseenherhalf—a—dozentimesalready），tostudyhercapacitythroughtheveilofherpresentpart。LikeAllanWayworthshefoundherencouragingonlybyfits，forshehadfineflashesofbadness。
Shewasintelligent，butshecriedaloudfortraining，andthetrainingwassoabsentthattheintelligencehadonlyafractionofitseffect。Shewaslikeaknifewithoutanedge——goodsteelthathadneverbeensharpened；shehackedawayatherharddramaticloaf，shecouldn’tcutitsmooth。
CHAPTERII。
\"Certainlymyleadingladywon’tmakeNonamuchlikeYOU！\"WayworthonedaygloomilyremarkedtoMrs。Alsager。Thereweredayswhentheprospectseemedtohimawful。
\"Somuchthebetter。There’snonecessityforthat。\"
\"Iwishyou’dtrainheralittle——youcouldsoeasily，\"theyoungmanwenton；inresponsetowhichMrs。Alsagerrequestedhimnottomakesuchcruelfunofher。Butshewascuriousaboutthegirl，wantedtohearofhercharacter，herprivatesituation，howshelivedandwhere，seemedindeeddesiroustobefriendher。WayworthmightnothaveknownmuchabouttheprivatesituationofMissVioletGrey，but，asithappened，hewasable，bythetimehisplayhadbeenthreeweeksinrehearsal，tosupplyinformationonsuchpoints。Shewasacharming，exemplaryperson，educated，cultivated，withhighlymoderntastes，anexcellentmusician。Shehadlostherparentsandwasverymuchaloneintheworld，heronlytworelationsbeingasister，whowasmarriedtoacivilservant（inahighlyresponsiblepost）inIndia，andadearlittleold—fashionedaunt（reallyagreat—aunt）