the small apartment, wringing his hands
and shedding tears like a woman, while at the open door lounged the
tenor and baritone of the troupe, their countenances wearing the usual
listless expression of veteran opera singers who, from long habit, are
thoroughly accustomed to the indispositions and caprices of prima donnas
and consider them as incidental to the profession.

As Captain Joliette came in, Leon ran to him and exclaimed amid his
tears:

"Oh! how could you bring that odious man to your box! See how the very
sight of him has affected my poor sister!"

At these words Mlle. d' Armilly roused herself and, springing to her
feet, faced the young soldier in a fit of uncontrollable rage.

"How dare you," she cried, her eyes flashing and her voice tremulous
with anger, "come here, to me, after what has occurred to-night!"

"I was not aware, Louise," answered he, apologetically, "that you had
such a terrible aversion to the Count of Monte-Cristo."

"The Count of Monte-Cristo!" exclaimed the director. "Was he in the
house this evening? What an honor!"

The irate prima donna flashed upon him a terrible glance.

"If you consider it an honor to have that monster in your theatre," she
fairly hissed, "I will sing for you no more!"

The humiliated director walked away without making a reply. He deemed
it the part of wisdom not to embroil himself with an eminent artiste who
was capable of bringing him in so much money, and who also was capable,
he thought, of breaking her engagement if she saw fit to do so. He,
therefore, left the dressing-room. The others, seeing that Mlle. d'
Armilly was evidently about to have a hot dispute with her admirer and
that she was sufficiently restored to need no further care, also quitted
the apartment.

When they were alone, the prima donna turned fiercely upon the Captain,
exclaiming:

"And you profess to love me, too! Was it love that induced you to bring
my worst enemy here to-night? It was hatred rather! Captain Joliette,
you hate me!"

"You know I do not, Louise," said the young soldier, warmly. "You know I
love you to desperation!"

"Why then was the so-called Count of Monte-Cristo in your box?"

"I was not aware that you knew him; indeed, I felt convinced that he was
a total stranger to you, and his conduct to-night tended to confirm that
conviction. He looked at you without the slightest sign of recognition;
and so far from being your enemy is he that he gave you louder an