The discovery that Adelaide Melhuish was another man's wife had stunned him.

It was not until the fire of sacrifice had died into parched ashes that its earlier banality became clear.

He realized then that he had given his love to a phantom.

By one of nature's miracles a vain and selfish creature was gifted in the artistic portrayal of the finer emotions.

He had worshiped the actress, the mimic, not the woman herself.