I wished that I had not looked over that precipice, down into blackness.
Why dwell on horrors, when I might have five minutes of happiness--perhaps the last I should ever know?
I remembered the piece of good news I had for Raoul.

I would have told him then, but he went on, saying to me so many things sweet and blessed to hear, that I could not bear to cut him short, lest never after this should he speak words of love to me.
Then--long before it ought, so it seemed--the clock in mydressing-room struck, and I knew that I hadn't another instant to spare.

On some first nights I might have been willing to risk keeping the curtain down (though I am rather conscientious in such ways), but to-night I wanted, more than anything else, to have the play over, and to get home by midnight or before, so that my suspense might be ended, and I might know the worst--or best.
"I must go.

You must leave me, dear," I said.

"But I've some good news for you when there's time to explain, and a great surprise.