Chapter XIV

"This time you must not expect to enjoy yourself; we are going to rehearse in good earnest," said Denoisel. "Mlle. Noémi, come and sit down there--that's it. We are ready now, are we not? One--two--three," he continued, clapping his hands, "begin."

"The fact is--the first scene," said Noémi, hesitatingly, "I am not quite sure of it--I know the other better."

"The second, then? We'll begin with the second--I'll take Henri's part: '_Good evening, my dear_---- '"

Denoisel was interrupted by a peal of laughter from Renée.

"Oh, dear!" she said to Noémi, "how funnily you are sitting! You look like a piece of sugar held in the sugar-tongs."

"Do I?" said Noémi, quite confused and trying to find a better pose.

"If only you would be kind enough not to interrupt the actors, Renée," said Denoisel. "'_Good evening, my dear_,'" he repeated, continuing his rôle, "'_do I disturb you_?'"

"Oh! and where are the purses?" exclaimed Renée.

"Why, I thought you were to see to them."

"I?--not at all. You were to see to them. You are a nice one to count on for the stage properties! I say, Noémi, if you were married, would it ever dawn upon you to give your husband a purse? It's rather shoppy, isn't it? Why not a smoking-cap, at once?"

"Are we going to rehearse?" asked Denoisel.

"Oh, Denoisel, you said that just like a man who really wants to go and have a smoke!"

"I always do want to smoke, Renée," answered Denoisel, "and especially when I ought not to."

"Why, it's quite a vice, then, with you."

"I should just think it is; and so I keep it."

"Well, but what pleasure can you find in smoking?"

"The pleasure of a bad habit--that is the explanation of many passions. '_Good evening, my dear_,'" he repeated, once more going back to M. de Chavigny's arrival on the scene, "'_do I disturb you_?'"

"_Disturb me, Henri--what a question!_" replied Noémi.

And the rehearsal continued.