She had come upon it as one who stumbles upon a secret passage and, behold, she was in the chamber of diamonds and delight! As she dressed with a flutter, in her little stage room, hearing the voices outside, seeing Mr.Quincel hurrying here and there, noting Mrs.
Morgan and Mrs.Hoagland at their nervous work of preparation, seeing all the twenty members of the cast moving about and worrying over what the result would be, she could not help thinking what a delight this would be if it would endure; how perfect a state, if she could only do well now, and then some time get a place as a real actress.

The thought had taken a mighty hold upon her.

It hummed in her ears as the melody of an old song.
Outside in the little lobby another scene was begin enacted.

Without the interest of Hurstwood, the little hall would probably have been comfortably filled, for the members of the lodge were moderately interested in its welfare.

Hurstwood's word, however, had gone the rounds.