new impersonation, her face assumed the
appropriate expression, her eyes glowed with the flame of the
Eumenides, with storm, desire, conflict, or, kindling with the mood
of love, longing, anxiety they shone like stars on a spring night.

She passed through these various transformations unconsciously,
impelled by the memory of the plays and roles she had read, and so
great was her abstraction, that she forgot about everything and paid
no attention to the stagehands, who were moving about her.

"My Al used to act the same way . . . the same way!" said a quiet
voice from behind the scenes near the ladies' dressing-room.

Janina paused in confusion. She saw standing there a middle-aged
woman of medium height, with a withered face and stern demeanor.

"You have joined our company, miss?" she inquired with a sharp
energetic voice, piercing Janina with her round, owl-like eyes.

"Not quite. . . . I am about to have a trial with the musical
director. Ah, yes, Mr. Cabinski even said that it was to take place
before the performance! . . ." she cried, recalling what he had told
her.

"Aha! with that drunkard . . ."

Janina glanced at her, surprised.

"Have you set your heart on being with us, miss?"

"In the theater? . . . yes! . . . I journeyed here for that very
purpose."

"From whence?" asked the elderly woman abruptly.

"From home," answered Janina, but more quietly and with a certain
hesitation.

"Ah . . . I see . . . you are entirely new to the profession! . . .
Well, well! that is curious! . . ."

"Why? . . . why should it be so strange for one who loves the
theater to try to join it? . . ."

"Oh, that's what all of them say! . . . while in truth, each of them
runs away either from something . . . or for something. . . ."

Janina was conscious of an accent of hidden malice in her voice. "Do
you know, madam, how soon the musical director will arrive?" she
asked.

"I don't!" snapped back the elderly woman, and walked away.

Janina moved back a little, for just then the workmen were spreading
a huge waxed canvas over the stage. She was gazing at this
absent-mindedly, when the elderly woman reappeared and addressed her
in a milder tone, "I will give you a piece of advice, miss. . . . It
is necessary for you to win over the musical director."

"But how am I to do it?"

"Have you money?"

"I have, but--"

"If you will listen to me, I will advise you."

"Certainly."

"You must get him a little drunk