A keen relish for dramatic expression had revealed itself as part of my nature; to cherish and exercise this new-found faculty might gift me with a world of delight, but it would not do for a mere looker-on at life: the strength and longing must be put by; and I put them by, and fastened them in with the lock of a resolution which neither Time nor Temptation has since picked.
No sooner was the play over, and _well_ over, than the choleric and arbitrary M.Paul underwent a metamorphosis.

His hour of managerial responsibility past, he at once laid aside his magisterial austerity; in a moment he stood amongst us, vivacious, kind, and social, shook hands with us all round, thanked us separately, and announced his determination that each of us should in turn be his partner in the coming ball.

On his claiming my promise, I told him I did not dance.
"For once I must," was the answer; and if I had not slipped aside and kept out of his way, he would have compelled me to this second performance.

But I had acted enough for one evening; it was time I retired into myself and my ordinary life.

My dun-coloured dress did well enough under a paletot on the stage, but would not suit a waltz or a quadrille.