Never before had I forgotten an engagement with Raoul.

But this time I had forgotten.
There had been so many miserable things to think of, that they had crowded the one pleasant thing out of my tortured brain.

I drew away from him involuntarily with a start of surprise.
"You'd forgotten!" exclaimed Raoul, disappointed and hurt.
"Only for the instant," I said, "because I'm hardly myself.

I'm tired and excited, unstrung, as I always am on first nights.

But--" "Would you rather not be bothered with me ?" he asked wistfully, as I paused to think what I should do.
His eyes looked as if the light had suddenly gone out of them, and I couldn't bear that.