When amid a tempest of applause she had sung her last note she bowed, and the gauze floated forth round about her limbs, and her hair swept over her waist as she bent sharply backward.

And seeing her thus, as with bending form and with exaggerated hips she came backing toward the count's peephole, he stood upright again, and his face was very white.

The stage had disappeared, and he now saw only the reverse side of the scenery with its display of old posters pasted up in every direction.

On the practicable slope, among the lines of gas jets, the whole of Olympus had rejoined the dozing Mme Drouard.

They were waiting for the close of the act.