withwhomshelivedatNottingHill，whowrotechildren’sbooksandwho，itappeared，hadoncewrittenaChristmaspantomime。Itwasquiteanartistichome——notonthescaleofMrs。Alsager’s（tocomparethesmallestthingswiththegreatest！）butintenselyrefinedandhonourable。WayworthwentsofarastohintthatitwouldberatherniceandhumanonMrs。Alsager’sparttogothere——theywouldtakeitsokindlyifsheshouldcallonthem。Shehadactedsooftenonhishintsthathehadformedapleasanthabitofexpectingit：itmadehimfeelsowiselyresponsibleaboutgivingthem。Butthisoneappearedtofalltotheground，sothatheletthesubjectdrop。
Mrs。Alsager，however，wentyetoncemoretothe\"Legitimate，\"ashefoundbyhersayingtohimabruptly，onthemorrow：\"Oh，she’llbeverygood——she’llbeverygood。\"Whentheysaid\"she，\"inthesedays，theyalwaysmeantVioletGrey，thoughtheypretended，forthemostpart，thattheymeantNonaVincent。
\"Ohyes，\"Wayworthassented，\"shewantssoto！\"
Mrs。Alsagerwassilentamoment；thensheasked，alittleinconsequently，asifshehadcomebackfromareverie：\"DoesshewanttoVERYmuch？\"
\"Tremendously——anditappearsshehasbeenfascinatedbythepartfromthefirst。\"
\"Whythendidn’tshesayso？\"
\"Oh，becauseshe’ssofunny。\"
\"SheISfunny，\"saidMrs。Alsager，musingly；andpresentlysheadded：
\"She’sinlovewithyou。\"
Wayworthstared，blushedveryred，thenlaughedout。\"Whatistherefunnyinthat？\"hedemanded；butbeforehisinterlocutresscouldsatisfyhimonthispointheinquired，further，howsheknewanythingaboutit。Afteralittlegracefulevasionsheexplainedthatthenightbefore，atthe\"Legitimate，\"Mrs。Beaumont，thewifeoftheactor—manager，hadpaidheravisitinherbox；whichhadhappened，inthecourseoftheirbriefgossip，toleadtoherremarkingthatshehadneverbeen\"behind。\"Mrs。Beaumontofferedonthespottotakeherround，andthefancyhadseizedhertoaccepttheinvitation。Shehadbeenamusedforthemoment，andinthiswayitbefellthatherconductress，atherrequest，hadintroducedhertoMissVioletGrey，whowaswaitinginthewingforoneofherscenes。
Mrs。Beaumonthadbeencalledawayforthreeminutes，andduringthisscrapoftime，facetofacewiththeactress，shehaddiscoveredthepoorgirl’ssecret。Wayworthqualifieditasasenselessthing，butwishedtoknowwhathadledtothediscovery。Shecharacterisedthisinquiryassuperficialforapainterofthewaysofwomen；andhedoubtlessdidn’timproveitbyremarkingprofanelythatacatmightlookatakingandthatsuchthingswereconvenienttoknow。Evenonthisground，however，hewasthreatenedbyMrs。Alsager，whocontendedthatitmightnotbeajokingmattertothepoorgirl。TothisWayworth，whonowprofessedtohatetalkingaboutthepassionshemighthaveinspired，couldonlyreplythathemeantitcouldn’tmakeadifferencetoMrs。Alsager。
\"HowintheworlddoyouknowwhatmakesadifferencetoME？\"thisladyasked，withincongruouscoldness，withahaughtinessindeedremarkableinsogentleaspirit。
HesawVioletGreythatnightatthetheatre，anditwasshewhospokefirstofherhavinglatelymetafriendofhis。
\"She’sinlovewithyou，\"theactresssaid，afterhehadmadeashowofignorance；\"doesn’tthattellyouanything？\"
HeblushedredderstillthanMrs。Alsagerhadmadehimblush，butreplied，quicklyenoughandveryadequately，thathundredsofwomenwerenaturallydyingforhim。
\"Oh，Idon’tcare，foryou’renotinlovewithHER！\"thegirlcontinued。
\"Didshetellyouthattoo？\"Wayworthasked；butshehadatthatmomenttogoon。
Standingwherehecouldseeherhethoughtthatonthisoccasionshethrewintoherscene，whichwasthebestshehadintheplay，abrighterartthaneverbefore，atalentthatcouldplaywithitsproblem。Shewasperpetuallydoingthingsoutofrehearsal（shedidtwoorthreeto—night，intheotherman’spiece），thatheasoftenwishedtoheavenNonaVincentmighthavethebenefitof。Sheappearedtobeabletodothemforeveryonebuthim——thatisforeveryonebutNona。Hewasconscious，inthesedays，ofanoddnewfeeling，whichmixed（thiswasapartofitsoddity）withaverynaturalandcomparativelyoldoneandwhichinitsmostdefiniteformwasadullacheofregretthatthisyounglady’sunluckystarshouldhaveplacedheronthestage。Hewishedinhisworstuneasinessthat，withoutgoingfurther，shewouldgiveitup；andyetitsoothedthatuneasinesstoremindhimselfthathesawgroundstohopeshewouldgofarenoughtomakeamarkedsuccessofNona。Therewerestrangeandpainfulmomentswhen，astheinterpretressofNona，healmosthatedher；afterwhich，however，healwaysassuredhimselfthatheexaggerated，inasmuchaswhatmadethisaversionseemgreat，whenhewasnervous，wassimplyitscontrastwiththegrowingsensethatthereWEREgrounds——totallydifferent——onwhichshepleasedhim。
Shepleasedhimasacharmingcreature——byhersinceritiesandherperversities，bythevarietiesandsurprisesofhercharacterandbycertainhappyfactsofherperson。Inprivatehereyesweresadtohimandhervoicewasrare。Hedetestedtheideathatsheshouldhaveadisappointmentoranhumiliation，andhewantedtorescueheraltogether，tosaveandtransplanther。Onewaytosaveherwastoseetoit，tothebestofhisability，thattheproductionofhisplayshouldbeatriumph；andtheotherway——itwasreallytooqueertoexpress——wasalmosttowishthatitshouldn’tbe。Then，forthefuture，therewouldbesafetyandpeace，andnotthepeaceofdeath——
thepeaceofadifferentlife。Itistobeaddedthatouryoungmanclungtotheformerofthesewaysinproportionasthelatterperverselytemptedhim。Hewasnervousatthebest，increasinglyandintolerablynervous；buttheimmediateremedywastorehearseharderandharder，andabovealltoworkitoutwithVioletGrey。Someofhercomradesreproachedhimwithworkingitoutonlywithher，asifshewerethewholeaffair；towhichherepliedthattheycouldaffordtobeneglected，theywereallsotremendouslygood。Shewastheonlypersonconcernedwhomhedidn’tflatter。
TheauthorandtheactressstucksotothebusinessinhandthatshehadverylittletimetospeaktohimagainofMrs。Alsager，ofwhomindeedherimaginationappearedadequatelytohavedisposed。
WayworthonceremarkedtoherthatNonaVincentwassupposedtobeagooddeallikehischarmingfriend；butshegaveablank\"Supposedbywhom？\"inconsequenceofwhichheneverreturnedtothesubject。HeconfidedhisnervousnessasfreelyasusualtoMrs。Alsager，whoeasilyunderstoodthathehadapeculiarcomplicationofanxieties。
Hissuspensevariedindegreefromhourtohour，butanyrelieftheremighthavebeeninthiswasmadeupforbyitsbeingofseveraldifferentkinds。Oneafternoon，asthefirstperformancedrewnear，Mrs。Alsagersaidtohim，ingivinghimhiscupofteaandonhishavingmentionedthathehadnotclosedhiseyesthenightbefore：
\"Youmustindeedbeinadreadfulstate。Anxietyforanotherisstillworsethananxietyforone’sself。\"
\"Foranother？\"Wayworthrepeated，lookingatherovertherimofhiscup。
\"Mypoorfriend，you’renervousaboutNonaVincent，butyou’reinfinitelymorenervousaboutVioletGrey。\"
\"SheISNonaVincent！\"
\"No，sheisn’t——notabit！\"saidMrs。Alsager，abruptly。
\"Doyoureallythinkso？\"Wayworthcried，spillinghisteainhisalarm。
\"WhatIthinkdoesn’tsignify——ImeanwhatIthinkaboutthat。WhatImeanttosaywasthatgreatasisyoursuspenseaboutyourplay，yoursuspenseaboutyouractressisgreaterstill。\"
\"IcanonlyrepeatthatmyactressISmyplay。\"
Mrs。Alsagerlookedthoughtfullyintotheteapot。
\"Youractressisyour——\"
\"Mywhat？\"theyoungmanasked，withalittletremorinhisvoice，ashishostesspaused。
\"Yourverydearfriend。You’reinlovewithher——atpresent。\"AndwithasharpclickMrs。Alsagerdroppedthelidonthefragrantreceptacle。
\"Notyet——notyet！\"laughedhervisitor。
\"Youwillbeifshepullsyouthrough。\"
\"YoudeclarethatsheWON’Tpullmethrough。\"
Mrs。Alsagerwassilentamoment，afterwhichshesoftlymurmured：
\"I’llprayforher。\"
\"You’rethemostgenerousofwomen！\"Wayworthcried；thencolouredasifthewordshadnotbeenhappy。Theywouldhavedoneindeedlittlehonourtoamanoftact。
ThenextmorninghereceivedfivehurriedlinesfromMrs。Alsager。
ShehadsuddenlybeencalledtoTorquay，toseearelationwhowasseriouslyill；sheshouldbedetainedthereseveraldays，butshehadanearnesthopeofbeingabletoreturnintimeforhisfirstnight。
Inanyeventhehadherunrestrictedgoodwishes。Hemissedherextremely，fortheselastdayswereagreatstrainandtherewaslittlecomforttobederivedfromVioletGrey。Shewasevenmorenervousthanhimself，andsopaleandalteredthathewasafraidshewouldbetooilltoact。Itwassettledbetweenthemthattheymadeeachotherworseandthathehadnowmuchbetterleaveheralone。
TheyhadpulledNonasotopiecesthatnothingseemedleftofher——
shemustatleasthavetimetogrowtogetheragain。HeleftVioletGreyalone，tothebestofhisability，butshecarriedoutimperfectlyherownsideofthebargain。Shecametohimwithnewquestions——shewaitedforhimwitholddoubts，andhalfanhourbeforethelastdress—rehearsal，ontheeveofproduction，sheproposedtohimatotallyfreshrenderingofhisheroine。Thisincidentgavehimsuchasenseofinsecuritythatheturnedhisbackonherwithoutaword，boltedoutofthetheatre，dashedalongtheStrandandwalkedasfarastheBank。Thenhejumpedintoahansomandcamewestward，andwhenhereachedthetheatreagainthebusinesswasnearlyover。Itappeared，almosttohisdisappointment，notbadenoughtogivehimtheconsolationoftheoldplayhouseadagethattheworstdress—rehearsalsmakethebestfirstnights。
Themorrow，whichwasaWednesday，wasthedreadfulday；thetheatrehadbeenclosedontheMondayandtheTuesday。Everyone，ontheWednesday，didhisbesttoleteveryoneelsealone，andeveryonesignallyfailedintheattempt。Theday，tillseveno’clock，wasunderstoodtobeconsecratedtorest，buteveryoneexceptVioletGreyturnedupatthetheatre。WayworthlookedatMr。Loder，andMr。
Loderlookedinanotherdirection，whichwasasnearastheycametoconversation。Wayworthwasinafidget，unabletoeatorsleeporsitstill，attimesalmostinterror。Hekeptquietbykeeping，asusual，inmotion；hetriedtowalkawayfromhisnervousness。HewalkedintheafternoontowardNottingHill，buthesucceededinnotbreakingthevowhehadtakennottomeddlewithhisactress。Shewaslikeanacrobatpoisedonaslipperyball——ifheshouldtouchhershewouldtoppleover。Hepassedherdoorthreetimesandhethoughtofherthreehundred。ThiswasthehouratwhichhemostregrettedthatMrs。Alsagerhadnotcomeback——forhehadcalledatherhouseonlytolearnthatshewasstillatTorquay。Thiswasprobablyqueer，anditwasprobablyqueererstillthatshehadn’twrittentohim；butevenofthesethingshewasn’tsure，forinlosing，ashehadnowcompletelylost，hisjudgmentofhisplay，heseemedtohimselftohavelosthisjudgmentofeverything。Whenhewenthome，however，hefoundatelegramfromtheladyofGrosvenorPlace——\"Shallbeabletocome——reachtownbyseven。\"Athalf—pasteighto’clock，throughalittleapertureinthecurtainofthe\"Renaissance，\"hesawherinherboxwithaclusteroffriends——completelybeautifulandbeneficent。Thehousewasmagnificent——toogoodforhisplay，hefelt；toogoodforanyplay。Everythingnowseemedtoogood——thescenery，thefurniture，thedresses，theveryprogrammes。HeseizedupontheideathatthiswasprobablywhatwasthematterwiththerepresentativeofNona——shewasonlytoogood。Hehadcompletelyarrangedwiththisyoungladytheplanoftheirrelationsduringtheevening；andthoughtheyhadalteredeverythingelsethattheyhadarrangedtheyhadpromisedeachothernottoalterthis。Itwaswonderfulthenumberofthingstheyhadpromisedeachother。Hewouldstarther，hewouldseeheroff——thenhewouldquitthetheatreandstayawaytilljustbeforetheend。Shebesoughthimtostayaway——itwouldmakeherinfinitelyeasier。Hesawthatshewasexquisitelydressed——shehadmadeoneortwochangesforthebettersincethenightbefore，andthatseemedsomethingdefinitetoturnoverandoverinhismindasherumbledfoggilyhomeinthefour—
wheelerinwhich，afewstepsfromthestage—door，hehadtakenrefugeassoonasheknewthatthecurtainwasup。Helivedacoupleofmilesoff，andhehadchosenafour—wheelertodragoutthetime。
Whenhegothomehisfirewasout，hisroomwascold，andhelaydownonhissofainhisovercoat。Hehadsenthislandladytothedress—
circle，onpurpose；shewouldoverflowwithwordsandmistakes。Thehouseseemedablackvoid，justasthestreetshaddone——everyonewas，formidably，athisplay。Hewasquieteratlastthanhehadbeenforafortnight，andhefelttooweakeventowonderhowthethingwasgoing。Hebelievedafterwardsthathehadsleptanhour；
butevenifhehadhefeltittobestilltooearlytoreturntothetheatre。Hesatdownbyhislampandtriedtoread——toreadalittlecompendiouslifeofagreatEnglishstatesman，outofa\"series。\"Itstruckhimasbrilliantlyclever，andheaskedhimselfwhetherthatperhapswerenotratherthesortofthingheoughttohavetakenup：
notthestatesmanship，buttheartofbriefbiography。Suddenlyhebecameawarethathemusthurryifhewastoreachthetheatreatall——itwasaquartertoeleveno’clock。Hescrambledoutand，thistime，foundahansom——hehadlatelyspentenoughmoneyincabstoaddtohishopethattheprofitsofhisnewprofessionwouldbegreat。
Hisanxiety，hissuspenseflamedupagain，andasherattledeastward——hewentfastnow——hewasalmostsickwithalternations。Ashepassedintothetheatrethefirstman——someunderling——whomethim，criedtohim，breathlessly：
\"You’rewanted，sir——you’rewanted！\"Hethoughthistoneveryominous——hedevouredtheman’seyeswithhisown，forabetrayal：
didhemeanthathewaswantedforexecution？Someoneelsepressedhim，almostpushedhim，forward；hewasalreadyonthestage。Thenhebecameconsciousofasoundmoreorlesscontinuous，butseeminglyfaintandfar，whichhetookatfirstforthevoiceoftheactorsheardthroughtheircanvaswalls，thebeautifulbuilt—inroomofthelastact。Buttheactorswereinthewing，theysurroundedhim；thecurtainwasdownandtheywerecomingofffrombeforeit。Theyhadbeencalled，andHEwascalled——theyallgreetedhimwith\"Goon——goon！\"Hewasterrified——hecouldn’tgoon——hedidn’tbelieveintheapplause，whichseemedtohimonlyaudibleenoughtosoundhalf—
hearted。
\"Hasitgone？——HASitgone？\"hegaspedtothepeopleroundhim；andheheardthemsay\"Rather——rather！\"perfunctorily，mendaciouslytoo，asitstruckhim，andevenwithmockinglaughter，thelaughterofdefeatanddespair。Suddenly，thoughallthismusthavetakenbutamoment，Loderburstuponhimfromsomewherewitha\"ForGod’ssakedon’tkeepthem，orthey’llSTOP！\"\"ButIcan’tgoonforTHAT！\"
Wayworthcried，inanguish；thesoundseemedtohimalreadytohaveceased。Loderhadholdofhimandwasshovinghim；heresistedandlookedroundfranticallyforVioletGrey，whoperhapswouldtellhimthetruth。Therewasbythistimeacrowdinthewing，allwithstrangegrimacingpaintedfaces，butVioletwasnotamongthemandherveryabsencefrightenedhim。Heutteredhernamewithanaccentthatheafterwardsregretted——itgavethem，ashethought，bothaway；
andwhileLoderhustledhimbeforethecurtainheheardsomeonesay\"Shetookhercallanddisappeared。\"Shehadhadacall，then——thiswaswhatwasmostpresenttotheyoungmanashestoodforaninstantintheglareofthefootlights，lookingblindlyatthegreatvaguely—
peopledhorseshoeandgreetedwithplauditswhichnowseemedtohimatoncelouderthanhedeservedandfeeblerthanhedesired。Theysanktorestquickly，buthefeltittobelongbeforehecouldbackaway，beforehecould，inhisturn，seizethemanagerbythearmandcryhuskily——\"Hasitreallygone——REALLY？\"
Mr。Loderlookedathimhardandrepliedafteraninstant：\"Theplay’sallright！\"
Wayworthhunguponhislips。\"Thenwhat’sallwrong？\"
\"WemustdosomethingtoMissGrey。\"
\"What’sthematterwithher？\"
\"Sheisn’tINit！\"
\"Doyoumeanshehasfailed？\"
\"Yes，damnit——shehasfailed。\"
Wayworthstared。\"Thenhowcantheplaybeallright？\"
\"Oh，we’llsaveit——we’llsaveit。\"
\"Where’sMissGrey——whereISshe？\"theyoungmanasked。
Lodercaughthisarmashewasturningawayagaintolookforhisheroine。\"Nevermindhernow——sheknowsit！\"
WayworthwasapproachedatthesamemomentbyagentlemanheknewasoneofMrs。Alsager’sfriends——hehadperceivedhiminthatlady’sbox。Mrs。Alsagerwaswaitingthereforthesuccessfulauthor；shedesiredveryearnestlythathewouldcomeroundandspeaktoher。
WayworthassuredhimselffirstthatViolethadleftthetheatre——oneoftheactressescouldtellhimthatshehadseenherthrowonacloak，withoutchangingherdress，andhadlearntafterwardsthatshehad，thenextmoment，flungherself，afterflingingheraunt，intoacab。Hehadwishedtoinvitehalfadozenpersons，ofwhomMissGreyandherelderlyrelativeweretwo，tocomehometosupperwithhim；
butshehadrefusedtomakeanyengagementbeforehand（itwouldbesodreadfultohavetokeepitifsheshouldn’thavemadeahit），andthisattitudehadblightedthepleasantplan，whichfelltotheground。Hehadcalledhermorbid，butshewasimmovable。Mrs。
Alsager’smessengerlethimknowthathewasexpectedtosupperinGrosvenorPlace，andhalfanhourafterwardshewasseatedthereamongcomplimentarypeopleandflowersandpoppingcorks，eatingthefirstorderlymealhehadpartakenofforaweek。Mrs。Alsagerhadcarriedhimoffinherbrougham——theotherpeoplewhowerecominggotintothingsoftheirown。Hestoppedhershortassoonasshebegantotellhimhowtremendouslyeveryonehadbeenstruckbythepiece；
henailedherdowntothequestionofVioletGrey。Hadshespoilttheplay，hadshejeopardisedorcompromisedit——hadshebeenutterlybad，hadshebeengoodinanydegree？
\"CertainlytheperformancewouldhaveseemedbetterifSHEhadbeenbetter，\"Mrs。Alsagerconfessed。
\"Andtheplaywouldhaveseemedbetteriftheperformancehadbeenbetter，\"Wayworthsaid，gloomily，fromthecornerofthebrougham。
\"Shedoeswhatshecan，andshehastalent，andshelookedlovely。
Butshedoesn’tSEENonaVincent。Shedoesn’tseethetype——shedoesn’tseetheindividual——shedoesn’tseethewomanyoumeant。
She’soutofit——shegivesyouadifferentperson。\"
\"Oh，thewomanImeant！\"theyoungmanexclaimed，lookingattheLondonlampsasherolledbythem。\"IwishtoGodshehadknownYOU！\"headded，asthecarriagestopped。Aftertheyhadpassedintothehousehesaidtohiscompanion：
\"YouseesheWON’Tpullmethrough。\"
\"Forgiveher——bekindtoher！\"Mrs。Alsagerpleaded。
\"Ishallonlythankher。Theplaymaygotothedogs。\"
\"Ifitdoes——ifitdoes，\"Mrs。Alsagerbegan，withherpureeyesonhim。
\"Well，whatifitdoes？\"
Shecouldn’ttellhim，fortherestofherguestscameintogether；
sheonlyhadtimetosay：\"ItSHA’N’Tgotothedogs！\"
Hecameawaybeforetheothers，restlesswiththedesiretogotoNottingHilleventhatnight，lateasitwas，hauntedwiththesensethatVioletGreyhadmeasuredherfall。Whenhegotintothestreet，however，heallowedsecondthoughtstocounselanothercourse；theeffectofknockingherupattwoo’clockinthemorningwouldhardlybetosootheher。Helookedatsixnewspapersthenextdayandfoundinthemneveragoodwordforher。Theywerewellenoughaboutthepiece，buttheywereunanimousastothedisappointmentcausedbytheyoungactresswhoseformereffortshadexcitedsuchhopesandonwhom，onthisoccasion，suchpressingresponsibilitiesrested。Theyaskedinchoruswhatwasthematterwithher，andtheydeclaredinchorusthattheplay，whichwasnotwithoutpromise，washandicapped（theyallusedthesameword）bytheoddwantofcorrespondencebetweentheheroineandherinterpreter。WayworthdroveearlytoNottingHill，buthedidn’ttakethenewspaperswithhim；VioletGreycouldbetrustedtohavesentoutforthembythepeepofdawnandtohavefedheranguishfull。Shedeclinedtoseehim——sheonlysentdownwordbyherauntthatshewasextremelyunwellandshouldbeunabletoactthatnightunlesssheweresufferedtospendthedayunmolestedandinbed。Wayworthsatforanhourwiththeoldlady，whounderstoodeverythingandtowhomhecouldspeakfrankly。Shegavehimatouchingpictureofherniece’scondition，whichwasallthemorevividforthesimplewordsinwhichitwasexpressed：\"Shefeelssheisn’tright，youknow——shefeelssheisn’tright！\"
\"Tellheritdoesn’tmatter——itdoesn’tmatterastraw！\"saidWayworth。
\"Andshe’ssoproud——youknowhowproudsheis！\"theoldladywenton。
\"TellherI’mmorethansatisfied，thatIaccepthergratefullyassheis。\"
\"Shesayssheinjuresyourplay，thatsheruinsit，\"saidhisinterlocutress。
\"She’llimprove，immensely——she’llgrowintothepart，\"theyoungmancontinued。
\"She’dimproveifsheknewhow——butshesaysshedoesn’t。Shehasgivenallshehasgot，andshedoesn’tknowwhat’swanted。\"
\"What’swantedissimplythatsheshouldgostraightonandtrustme。\"
\"Howcanshetrustyouwhenshefeelsshe’slosingyou？\"
\"Losingme？\"Wayworthcried。
\"You’llneverforgiveherifyourplayistakenoff！\"
\"Itwillrunsixmonths，\"saidtheauthorofthepiece。
Theoldladylaidherhandonhisarm。\"Whatwillyoudoforherifitdoes？\"
HelookedatVioletGrey’sauntamoment。\"Doyousayyournieceisveryproud？\"
\"Tooproudforherdreadfulprofession。\"
\"Thenshewouldn’twishyoutoaskmethat，\"Wayworthanswered，gettingup。
Whenhereachedhomehewasverytired，andforapersontowhomitwasopentoconsiderthathehadscoredasuccesshespentaremarkablydismalday。Allhisrestlessnesshadgone，andfatigueanddepressionpossessedhim。Hesankintohisoldchairbythefireandsatthereforhourswithhiseyesclosed。Hislandladycameintobringhisluncheonandmendthefire，buthefeignedtobeasleep，soasnottobespokento。Itistobesupposedthatsleepatlastovertookhim，foraboutthehourthatduskbegantogatherhehadanextraordinaryimpression，avisitthat，itwouldseem，couldhavebelongedtonowakingconsciousness。NonaVincent，infaceandform，thelivingheroineofhisplay，rosebeforehiminhislittlesilentroom，satdownwithhimathisdingyfireside。ShewasnotVioletGrey，shewasnotMrs。Alsager，shewasnotanywomanhehadseenuponearth，norwasitanymasqueradeoffriendshiporofpenitence。
Yetshewasmorefamiliartohimthanthewomenhehadknownbest，andshewasineffablybeautifulandconsoling。Shefilledthepoorroomwithherpresence，theeffectofwhichwasassoothingassomeodourofincense。Shewasasquietasanaffectionatesister，andtherewasnosurpriseinherbeingthere。Nothingmorerealhadeverbefallenhim，andnothing，somehow，morereassuring。Hefeltherhandrestuponhisown，andallhissensesseemedtoopentohermessage。Shestruckhim，inthestrangestway，bothashiscreationandashisinspirer，andshegavehimthehappiestconsciousnessofsuccess。Ifshewassocharming，intheredfirelight，inhervague，clear—colouredgarments，itwasbecausehehadmadeherso，andyetiftheweightseemedliftedfromhisspirititwasbecauseshedrewitaway。Whenshebentherdeepeyesuponhimtheyseemedtospeakofsafetyandfreedomandtomakeagreengardenofthefuture。Fromtimetotimeshesmiledandsaid：\"Ilive——Ilive——Ilive。\"Howlongshestayedhecouldn’thavetold，butwhenhislandladyblunderedinwiththelampNonaVincentwasnolongerthere。Herubbedhiseyes，butnodreamhadeverbeensointense；andasheslowlygotoutofhischairitwaswithadeepstilljoy——thejoyoftheartist——inthethoughtofhowrighthehadbeen，howexactlylikeherselfhehadmadeher。Shehadcometoshowhimthat。Attheendoffiveminutes，however，hefeltsufficientlymystifiedtocallhislandladyback——hewantedtoaskheraquestion。Whenthegoodwomanreappearedthequestionhungfireaninstant；thenitshapeditselfastheinquiry：
\"Hasanyladybeenhere？\"
\"No，sir——noladyatall。\"
Thewomanseemedslightlyscandalised。\"NotMissVincent？\"
\"MissVincent，sir？\"
\"Theyoungladyofmyplay，don’tyouknow？\"
\"Oh，sir，youmeanMissVioletGrey！\"
\"NoIdon’t，atall。IthinkImeanMrs。Alsager。\"
\"TherehasbeennoMrs。Alsager，sir。\"
\"Noranybodyatalllikeher？\"
Thewomanlookedathimasifshewonderedwhathadsuddenlytakenhim。Thensheaskedinaninjuredtone：\"Whyshouldn’tIhavetoldyouifyou’d’adcallers，sir？\"
\"IthoughtyoumighthavethoughtIwasasleep。\"
\"Indeedyouwere，sir，whenIcameinwiththelamp——andwellyou’dearnedit，Mr。Wayworth！\"
Thelandladycamebackanhourlatertobringhimatelegram；itwasjustashehadbeguntodresstodineathisclubandgodowntothetheatre。
\"Seemeto—nightinfront，anddon’tcomenearmetillit’sover。\"
ItwasinthesewordsthatVioletcommunicatedherwishesfortheevening。Heobeyedthemtotheletter；hewatchedherfromthedepthsofabox。Hewasinnopositiontosayhowshemighthavestruckhimthenightbefore，butwhathesawduringthesecharmedhoursfilledhimwithadmirationandgratitude。SheWASinit，thistime；shehadpulledherselftogether，shehadtakenpossession，shewasfelicitousateveryturn。FreshfromhisrevelationofNonahewasinapositiontojudge，andashejudgedheexulted。Hewasthrilledandcarriedaway，andhewasmoreoverintenselycurioustoknowwhathadhappenedtoher，bywhatunfathomableartshehadmanagedinafewhourstoeffectsuchachangeofbase。ItwasasifSHEhadhadarevelationofNona，soconvincingaclearnesshadbeenbreatheduponthepicture。Hekepthimselfquietintheentr’actes——
hewouldspeaktoheronlyattheend；butbeforetheplaywashalfoverthemanagerburstintohisbox。
\"It’sprodigious，whatshe’supto！\"criedMr。Loder，almostmorebewilderedthangratified。\"Shehasgoneinforanewreading——ablessedsomersaultintheair！\"
\"Isitquitedifferent？\"Wayworthasked，sharinghismystification。
\"Different？Hyperiontoasatyr！It’sdevilishgood，myboy！\"
\"It’sdevilishgood，\"saidWayworth，\"andit’sinadifferentkeyaltogetherfromthekeyofherrehearsal。\"
\"I’llrunyousixmonths！\"themanagerdeclared；andherushedroundagaintotheactress，leavingWayworthwithasensethatshehadalreadypulledhimthrough。Shehadwiththeaudienceanimmensepersonalsuccess。
Whenhewentbehind，attheend，hehadtowaitforher；sheonlyshowedherselfwhenshewasreadytoleavethetheatre。Heraunthadbeeninherdressing—roomwithher，andthetwoladiesappearedtogether。Thegirlpassedhimquickly，motioninghimtosaynothingtilltheyshouldhavegotoutoftheplace。Hesawthatshewasimmenselyexcited，liftedaltogetherabovehercommonartisticlevel。
Theoldladysaidtohim：\"Youmustcomehometosupperwithus：ithasbeenallarranged。\"Theyhadabrougham，withalittlethirdseat，andhegotintoitwiththem。Itwasalongtimebeforetheactresswouldspeak。Sheleanedbackinhercorner，givingnosignbutstillheavingalittle，likeasubsidingsea，andwithallhertriumphintheeyesthatshonethroughthedarkness。Theoldladywashushedtoawe，oratleasttodiscretion，andWayworthwashappyenoughtowait。HehadreallytowaittilltheyhadalightedatNottingHill，wheretheelderofhiscompanionswenttoseethatsupperhadbeenattendedto。
\"Iwasbetter——Iwasbetter，\"saidVioletGrey，throwingoffhercloakinthelittledrawing—room。
\"Youwereperfection。You’llbelikethateverynight，won’tyou？\"
Shesmiledathim。\"Everynight？Therecanscarcelybeamiracleeveryday。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbyamiracle？\"
\"I’vehadarevelation。\"
Waywardstared。\"Atwhathour？\"
\"Therighthour——thisafternoon。Justintimetosaveme——andtosaveYOU。\"
\"Atfiveo’clock？Doyoumeanyouhadavisit？\"
\"Shecametome——shestayedtwohours。\"
\"Twohours？NonaVincent？\"
\"Mrs。Alsager。\"VioletGreysmiledmoredeeply。\"It’sthesamething。\"
\"AndhowdidMrs。Alsagersaveyou？\"
\"Bylettingmelookather。Bylettingmehearherspeak。Bylettingmeknowher。\"
\"Andwhatdidshesaytoyou？\"
\"Kindthings——encouraging，intelligentthings。\"
\"Ah，thedearwoman！\"Wayworthcried。
\"Yououghttolikeher——shelikesYOU。ShewasjustwhatIwanted，\"
theactressadded。
\"DoyoumeanshetalkedtoyouaboutNona？\"
\"Shesaidyouthoughtshewaslikeher。SheIS——she’sexquisite。\"
\"She’sexquisite，\"Wayworthrepeated。\"Doyoumeanshetriedtocoachyou？\"
\"Oh，no——sheonlysaidshewouldbesogladifitwouldhelpmetoseeher。AndIfeltitdidhelpme。Idon’tknowwhattookplace——
sheonlysatthere，andsheheldmyhandandsmiledatme，andshehadtactandgrace，andshehadgoodnessandbeauty，andshesoothedmynervesandlightedupmyimagination。SomehowsheseemedtoGIVE
italltome。Itookit——Itookit。Ikeptherbeforeme，Idrankherin。Forthefirsttime，inthewholestudyofthepart，Ihadmymodel——Icouldmakemycopy。Allmycouragecamebacktome，andotherthingscamethatIhadn’tfeltbefore。Shewasdifferent——shewasdelightful；asI’vesaid，shewasarevelation。Shekissedmewhenshewentaway——andyoumayguessifIkissedHER。Wewereawfullyaffectionate，butit’sYOUshelikes！\"saidVioletGrey。
Wayworthhadneverbeenmoreinterestedinhislife，andhehadrarelybeenmoremystified。\"Didshewearvague，clear—colouredgarments？\"heasked，afteramoment。
VioletGreystared，laughed，thenbadehimgointosupper。\"YOU
knowhowshedresses！\"
Hewasverywellpleasedatsupper，buthewassilentandalittlesolemn。HesaidhewouldgotoseeMrs。Alsagerthenextday。Hedidso，buthewastoldatherdoorthatshehadreturnedtoTorquay。
Sheremainedthereallwinter，allspring，andthenexttimehesawherhisplayhadruntwohundrednightsandhehadmarriedVioletGrey。Hisplayssometimessucceed，buthiswifeisnotinthemnow，norinanyothers。AttheserepresentationsMrs。Alsagercontinuesfrequentlytobepresent。