It is my humor to fix my own position in men's minds; to lose the thing I have that I may gain the thing I have not; to overcome, and never prize the victory; to hunt down a quarry, and feel no ardor in the chase; to strain after a goal, and yet care not if I never reach it." He took her fan in his hand, and fell to counting the slender ivory sticks.

"I tread the stage as a fine gentleman," he said.

"It is the part for which I was cast, and I play it well with proper mien and gait.

I was not asked if I would like the part, but I think that I do like it, as much as I like anything.

Seeing that I must play it, and that there is that within me which cries out against slovenliness, I play it as an artist should.