“Here the kitchen table, here the old-fashioned writing-desk, here the armoire with practicable doors, here the window. Soh! Who is on? Ah, the young lady of the sick nose, Marion. She is discovered⁠—knitting. And then the duchess⁠—later. That’s you Mademoiselle Dearborn. You interrupt⁠—you remember. But then you, ah, you always are right. If they were all like you. Very well, we begin.”

Creditably enough the Gretry girl read her part, Monsieur Gerardy interrupting to indicate the crossings and business. Then at her cue, Laura, who was to play the role of the duchess, entered with the words:

“I beg your pardon, but the door stood open. May I come in?”

Monsieur Gerardy murmured:

“ Elle est vraiment superbe. ”