The comedian's art consists in
sparing himself as much as possible, whilst producing striking effects;
he should be calm amidst all his simulated fury, and cool in his
apparently most burning rage. Never did actor play this part as superbly
as you have done to-night--THAT I am bound to acknowledge--but this is
too dear a price to pay for it."
"Yes, wasn't I absurd in it?" answered the baron bitterly. "I felt
myself supremely ridiculous throughout--but especially when my head went
through the guitar with which Leander was belabouring me."
"You certainly did put on the most comically furious airs imaginable,"
the tyrant replied, "and the whole audience was convulsed with laughter.
Even Mlle. Yolande de Foix, that very great, and proud, and noble lady,
condescended to smile. I saw her myself."
"It was a great honour for me assuredly," cried de Sigognac, with
flaming cheeks, "to have been able to divert so great a lady."
"Pardon me, my lord," said the tyrant, who perceived the painful flush
that covered the baron's face, "I should have remembered that the
success which is so prized by us poor comedians, actors by profession,
cannot but be a matter of indifference to one of your lordship's rank."
"You have not offended me, my good Herode," de Sigognac hastened to
reply, holding out his hand to the honest tyrant with a genial smile,
"whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.
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