It was over at last—­the piece was finished—­and when de Sigognac tore off his mask, like a man who is suffocating, his companions were alarmed at his altered looks.  He was fairly livid, and let himself fall upon a bench standing near like a lifeless body.  Seeing that he was very faint, Blazius hastened to fetch some wine—­his sovereign remedy for every ill—­but de Sigognac rejected it, and signed that he wanted water instead.

“A great mistake,” said the pedant, shaking his head disapprovingly, “a sad mistake—­water is only fit for frogs, and fish, and such-like cold-blooded creatures—­it does not do for human beings at all.  Every water-bottle should be labelled,’For external use only.’  Why, I should die instantly if so much as a drop of the vile stuff found its way down my throat.  Take my advice, Captain Fracasse, and let it alone.  Here, have some of this good strong wine; it will set you right in a jiffy.”

But de Sigognac would not be persuaded, and persisted in motioning for water.  When it was brought, cool and fresh, he eagerly swallowed a large draught of the despised liquid, and found himself almost immediately revived by it—­his face resuming a more natural hue, and the light returning to his eyes.  When he was able to sit up and look about him again, Herode approached, in his turn, and said, “You played admirably this evening, and with wonderful spirit, Captain Fracasse, but it does not do to take too much out of yourself in this way—­such violent exertions would quickly do for you.  The comedian’s art consists in sparing himself as much as possible, whilst producing striking effects; he should be calm amidst all his simulated fury, and cool in his apparently most burning rage.  Never did actor play this part as superbly as you have done to-night—­that I am bound to acknowledge—­but this is too dear a price to pay for it.”

“Yes, wasn’t I absurd in it?” answered the baron bitterly.  “I felt myself supremely ridiculous throughout—­but especially when my head went through the guitar with which Leander was belabouring me.”

“You certainly did put on the most comically furious airs imaginable,” the tyrant replied, “and the whole audience was convulsed with laughter.  Even Mlle. Yolande de Foix, that very great, and proud, and noble lady, condescended to smile.  I saw her myself.”

“It was a great honour for me assuredly,” cried de Sigognac, with flaming cheeks, “to have been able to divert so great a lady.”

“Pardon me, my lord,” said the tyrant, who perceived the painful flush that covered the baron’s face, “I should have remembered that the success which is so prized by us poor comedians, actors by profession, cannot but be a matter of indifference to one of your lordship’s rank.”

“You have not offended me, my good Herode,” de Sigognac hastened to reply, holding out his hand to the honest tyrant with a genial smile, “whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.  But I could not help remembering that I had dreamed of and hoped for very different triumphs from this.”