The second act will not be rehearsed to-day." Before leaving, the old actor went up to Nanteuil, to press her hand.
Judging that this was the moment to assure her of his sympathy, he summoned up the tears to his eyes, as anyone condoling with her would have done in his place.

But he did it admirably.

The pupils of his eyes swam in their orbits, like the moon amid clouds.

The corners of his lips were turned down in two deep furrows which prolonged them to the bottom of his chin.

He appeared to be genuinely afflicted.
"My poor darling," he sighed, "I pity you, I do indeed! To see one for whom one has experienced a--feeling--with whom one has--lived in intimacy--to see him carried off at a blow--a tragic blow--is hard, is terrible!" And he extended his compassionate hands.