human
But in quite a different way, she added.
gpt
Susan never defies.
human
Madre must be thinking of us to-day,
gpt
Yes. I thought--I almost expected she would send us a cablegram.
human
It may come yet. There's plenty of time.
gpt
Only four hours before the curtain goes up.
human
Or we may find one for us at the theater.
gpt
Somehow I don't think Madre would send it there.
human
I almost wish we'd asked Alston to come in to-day,
gpt
But he's resting.
human
I know. But he would have come. He could have rested here with us.
gpt
Better for him to keep his voice perfectly quiet. To-night is his début. He has got to pay back over three years to Crayford with his performance to-night. And we shall have him with us at supper.
human
Yes, I've ordered it, a wonderful supper, all the things you and Alston like best.
gpt
We'll enjoy it.
human
Won't we? You sent Miss Mardon the flowers?
gpt
Yes.
human
It is Miss Mardon, Claude said, as he listened.
gpt
She's thanking me for the flowers.
human
Give her my love and best wishes for to-night.
gpt
She's resting, of course,
human
Yes.
gpt
Everyone resting. It seems almost ghastly.
human
Why?
gpt
Oh, I don't know--death-like. I'm stupid to-day.
human
I am full of forebodings! But she was held back by the thought,
gpt
Shall I fail in resolution at the last moment, show the white feather when he is so cool, so master of himself? I who have been such a courageous wife, who have urged him on, who have made this day possible!
human
It's only the physical reaction, she added hastily.
gpt
After all we've gone through.
human
Oh, we mustn't give way to reaction yet. We've got the big thing in front of us. All the rest is nothing in comparison with to-night.
gpt
I know! I hope Madre will cable. If she doesn't, it will seem like a bad omen. I shall feel as if she didn't care what happens.
human
Won't you?
gpt
I think she will cable. But even if she doesn't, I know she always cares very much what happens to you and me. Nothing would ever make me doubt that.
human
No, of course not. But I do want her to show it, to prove it to us to-day. It is such a day in our lives! Never, so long as we live, can we have such another day. It is the day I dreamed of, the day I foresaw, that night at Covent Garden.
gpt
It is the day I decreed when I looked at Henriette Sennier!