I am an
actress by nature, and the atmosphere of the theatre is my native air;
in it alone do I breathe freely; even its unpleasant odours are sweet to
my nostrils. Real, everyday life seems very dull and flat. I must have
imaginary love affairs to manage for other people, and take part in the
whirl of romantic adventures to be found only on the stage, to keep me
alive and happy. So I've come back to claim my old place again. I hope
you haven't found any one else to fill it; though of course I know
that you couldn't get anybody to really replace me. If you had I should
scratch her eyes out, that I promise you, for I am a real little devil
when my rights are encroached upon, though you might not think it."
"There's no need for you to show your prowess in that way," said the
tyrant, "for we have not had any one to take your role, and we're
delighted, overjoyed, to have you back again. If you had had some of the
magic compound Apuleius tells us of, and had thereby changed yourself
into a bird, to come and listen to what Blazius and I were saying a
little while ago, you would have heard nothing but good of yourself--a
rare thing that for listeners--and you would have heard some very
enthusiastic praise besides."
"That's charming!" the soubrette exclaimed.
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