This bouffonnade, being played with great spirit, was enthusiastically applauded.  The gentlemen were charmed with the mischievous, coquettish soubrette, who was fairly radiant with beauty that evening; the ladies were greatly pleased with Isabelle’s refinement and modesty; whilst Matamore received the well merited encomiums of all.  It would have been impossible to find, even in the great Parisian theatres, an actor better fitted for the part he had played so admirably.  Leander was much admired by all the younger ladies, but the gentlemen agreed, without a dissenting voice, that he was a horridly conceited coxcomb.  Wherever he appeared indeed this was the universal verdict, with which he was perfectly content—­caring far more for his handsome person, and the effect it produced upon the fair sex, than for his art; though, to do him justice, he was a very good actor.  Serafina’s beauty did not fail to find admirers, and more than one young gentleman swore by his mustache that she was an adorable creature—­quite regardless of the displeasure of the fair ladies within hearing.

During the play, de Sigognac, hidden in the coulisses, had enjoyed intensely Isabelle’s charming rendering of her part, though he was more than a little jealous of the favour she apparently bestowed upon Leander—­and especially at the tender tone of her voice whenever she spoke to him—­not being yet accustomed to the feigned love-making on the stage, which often covers profound antipathies and real enmity.  When the play was over, he complimented the young actress with a constrained, embarrassed air, which she could not help remarking, and perfectly understood.

“You play that part admirably, Isabelle! so well that one might almost think there was some truth in it.”

“Is it not my duty to do so?” she asked smilingly, secretly pleased at his displeasure; “did not the manager engage me for that?”

“Doubtless,” de Sigognac replied, “but you seemed to be really in love with that conceited fellow, who never thinks of anything but his own good looks, and how to display them to the best advantage.”

“But the role required it.  You surely would not have had me play it as if he disgusted me! besides, did I not preserve throughout the quiet demeanour of a well-bred, respectable girl?  If I failed in that you must tell me how and where, so that I may endeavour to correct it in future.”

“Oh no! you appeared from the beginning to the end like a modest, retiring, young lady—­no, there is no fault to be found with you in that respect; your acting was inimitable—­so graceful, lady-like, and easy—­but withal so true to nature that it was almost too real.”

“My dear baron, they are putting out the lights; everybody has gone but ourselves, and we shall be left in the dark if we don’t make haste.  Be good enough to throw this cloak around my shoulders and accompany me to the chateau.”