A few memories

io6 A FEW MEMORIES
ment was in a measure alleviated by a message from Madame Bernhardt, inviting us to see her behind the scenes. My youth had evidently brought my name before the great actress. She received us with charming cordiality, and afterwards asked me frequently to her dressing-room. It was instructive as well as interesting to watch the mysteries of her toilet, which was almost faultless. I once dared to hint to her that she looked far better with less paint on her cheeks and lips. She followed the suggestion at once; indeed, she seemed as much of a girl as I, and had nothing of the awe-inspiring great woman about her. One night we were going through a passage leading to the stage. She was smiling gayly, and looking remarkably youthful and attractive. In a moment her face grew ugly and distorted with anger. Like a flash she ran down the hall, and left me standing there without a word of explanation. I looked around for the cause of this sudden passion, and saw a written notice on the wall, stating that Madame Bernhardt was to act on such a night in a certain play. In a few seconds she came back, the fire gone from her eye, and taking my hand she continued her gay conversation. Her scene over, we returned through the same passage, and