Extraordinary things were related about Silviane's tastes and fancies.

Some said that she was a door-keeper's, others a doctor's, daughter.

In any case she had managed to acquire instruction and manners, for when occasion required she lacked neither wit, nor style, nor deportment.

She had been rolling through the theatres for ten years or so, applauded for her beauty's sake, and she had even ended by obtaining some pretty little successes in such parts as those of very pure young girls or loving and persecuted young women.

Since there had been a question, though, of her entering the Comedie Francaise to play the _role_ of Pauline in "Polyeucte," some people had waxed indignant and others had roared with laughter, so ridiculous did the idea appear, so outrageous for the majesty of classic tragedy.