"See what it is to be fascinating like Léontine; she gets all the boy's
money, and has the manager besides. She must earn a pretty penny." ...
I sat perfectly cold and still for several moments, then managed to
wriggle away. I can give you no account of my feelings now, so many
years have passed; besides, I don't think I felt at all. Every day I
became more and more thoughtful, and Léontine and the manager rallied me
on my silence....
At last I made up my mind that it was time to act. We went to Lille and
gave there our usual display. I had not seen Léontine all day, and when
the evening came I sent a message telling her I was not hungry and would
not be home for supper. I could be a hypocrite no longer.
In the evening the regular performance began. I was in a gay humor, and
the men in the orchestra laughed at my wit, saying that I was more like
my old self. My wife's aërial act came last on the bill, being the
event of the show. What a brilliant house we had! I still can smell the
sawdust, the orange peel, see the myriad of faces and hear the crack of
the ring-masters' whips, the cries of the clowns and the crash of the
music....
"She comes, Léontine comes!" shrilled a thousand throats.
Into the ring she dashed on a milk-white horse, and, throwing off her
drapery, stood bowing.
What a graceful figure she had, and how lovely she looked as she
clambered aloft to her giddy perch! Breathlessly every one saw her make
preparations for the flight through the air. The band became silent; all
necks were strained as she swung lightly to and fro in space, increasing
the speed to gain necessary momentum for the final launch.
Off she darted, like a thunderbolt--bang! went my drum--a moment too
soon. The false unaccustomed rhythm shook her nerves and she tumbled
with her face toward me.
There were no nets....
Later I sought the manager. He was in his room, his head thrust beneath
pillows. I tapped him on the shoulder; he shuddered when he saw me.
"'Tis you who should wear black," I said....