Great crowds surrounded the building and the manager assured him that it was already full inside.

The arrangements were that Paul was to appear between the acts of the opera, which that night was "Madame Angot." Murphy took Paul to his own private office in the second story and encouraged him in every way he could.

Paul listened to the music of the first act, as it rolled by with fearful swiftness.

Never before in his life did he experience the feeling of nervousness which now seemed to possess him.

Once during Murphy's absence from the office he raised the window and looked down into the river Lee that ran alongside the building and wondered if he could drop into the water without breaking his leg.