ughter is not an actress," answered Sowinska.

"Oh! . . . It doesn't matter . . . It's only a lesson for me," she
whispered, turning away.

She met Cabinski and, approaching him, asked, "Will you accept me,
Mr. Director?"

"You may consider yourself engaged," he answered. "As for your
salary we shall speak of that another day."

"What am I to play? . . . I should like to take the part of Clara in
The Iron Master."

Cabinski glanced at her sharply and covered his mouth with his hand
so as not to burst out laughing.

"Just a moment . . . just a moment . . . you must first acquaint
yourself with the stage. In the meanwhile, you will appear with the
chorus. Halt told me that you know how to play the piano and read
notes. To-morrow I will give you some scores of the operettas we
play and you can learn the chorus parts."

Janina went to the dressing-room and had scarcely opened the door,
when someone pushed her back, slammed the door in her face and
called out angrily: "Upstairs with you! that is where the chorus
girls belong!"

She set her teeth and went upstairs.

The dressing-room of the chorus was a long, narrow and low
apartment. Rows of unshaded gaslights burned above long bare, board
tables extending along the walls on three sides of the room. The
walls were covered with unbeveled and unpainted boards which were
scribbled all over with names, dates jokes and caricatures, done in
charcoal or rouge paint. On the bare wall hung a whole string of
dresses and costumes.

About twenty women sat undressed before mirrors of various shapes,
and before each one there burned candles.

Janina spying an unoccupied chair, near the door, sat down and began
to look about her.

"I beg your pardon, but that is my seat!" called a stout brunette.

Janina stood aside.

"Did you come to see someone? . . ." asked the same chorus-girl,
rubbing her face with vaseline before applying powder.

"No. I came to the dressing-room. I am one of the company," answered
Janina rather loudly.

"Oh, you are?"

A few heads raised themselves above the tables and a few pairs of
eyes were centered upon Janina.

Janina told the brunette her name.

"Girls! . . . this new one calls herself Orlowska. Get acquainted
with her!" called the brunette.

A few of those sitting nearest her stretched out their hands in
greeting and then proceeded with their make-up.

"Louise, loan me some powder."

"Go buy it!"

"Say Sowinska!" called down