Near the door stood Grace Danver and another actress, both of whom were bidden to wait upon the manager before leaving.

Clara passed under the fire of their eyes, but scarcely observed them.
Rain drenched her between the theatre and her lodgings, for she did not think of putting up an umbrella; she thought indeed of nothing; there was fire and tumult in her brain.

On the round table in her sitting-room supper was made ready, but she did not heed it.

Excitement compelled her to walk incessantly round and round the scanty space of floor.

Already she had begun to rehearse the chief scenes of Laura Denton; she spoke the words with all appropriate loudness and emphasis; her gestures were those of the stage, as though an audience sat before her; she seemed to have grown taller.