And I was kind for a moment, capricious
no longer, because, though the treaty had been restored, I was going to
open the cage of Godensky's vengeance, and--I was afraid of him.
"I may come to you as soon as I'm free?" Raoul asked.
"Yes. Come and tell me what you think of the news, and--what you think
of me," I said. And while I spoke, smiling, I prayed within that he
might continue to think of me all things good--far better than I
deserved, yet not better than I would try to deserve in the future, if I
were permitted to spend that future with him.
The next thing I did was to send my letter to Count Godensky. This was a
flinging down of the glove, and I knew it well. But I was ready to fight
now.
Then, I had to keep my promise to Miss Forrest. But I had thought of a
way in which, I hoped, that promise--fulfilled as I meant to fulfil
it--might help rather than injure me. I had not lain awake all night for
nothing.
I went to the office of the Chief of Police, who is a gentleman and a
patron of the theatre--when he can spare time from his work. I had met
him, and had reason to know that he admired my acting.
His first words were of congratulation upon my success in the new play;
and he was as cordial, as complimentary, as if he had never heard of
that scene at the Elysee Palace Hotel, about which of course he knew
everything--so far as his subordinate could report.
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