"Oh, monsieur, I will not admit that, since I do not yet know your work," Taylor replied; "but you can guess what a trial it is to have to listen to-such stuff as I have just heard, every blessed day of my life." "Every day?" "Yes, indeed, and oftener! See, here is my agenda for to-day's Committee. We are to hear an _Épaminondas._" I heaved a sigh. My poor _Christine_ was caught between two cross-fires of classicism. "M. le Baron," I ventured to say, "would you rather I came another day?" "Oh! certainly not," said Taylor, "now we are here...." "Very well," I said, "I will just read you one act, and if that tires you or bores you, you must stop me." "All right," Taylor murmured; "you are more merciful than your confrères. And that is a good sign.... Go on, go on; I am listening." Tremblingly I drew my play from my pocket;--it looked a terribly big volume. Taylor cast a glance on the immense bulk with such an alarmed expression that I cried out to him-- "Oh, monsieur, do not be afraid! The manuscript is only written on one side of the paper." He breathed again. I began. I was so nervous I could not see to read; my voice shook so that I could not hear my own voice. Taylor reassured me; he was unaccustomed to such modesty! I resumed my reading, and I managed somehow to get through my first act. "Well, monsieur, shall I go on?" I asked in a faint voice, without daring to raise my eyes. "Certainly, certainly," Taylor replied, "go on. Upon my word, it is excellent!" Fresh life came to me, and I read my second act with more confidence than the first. When I had finished, Taylor himself told me to go on with the third, then the fourth, then the fifth. I felt an inexpressible desire to embrace him; but I refrained, for fear of the consequences. When the reading was finished, Taylor leapt from his bed. "You must come to the Théâtre-Français with me," he said. "But what must I do there?" "Why, get your turn to read your play as soon as possible." "Do you really mean it? Shall I read it to the Committee?" "Not a day later than next Saturday." And Taylor called out, "Pierre!" An old man-servant came in. "Give me all my clothes, Pierre." Then turning to me, he said, "You will excuse me?" "Oh, there is nothing to excuse!..." I replied. On the following Thursday (for Taylor would not wait until the Saturday, but had called a special Committee) the Committee, whether from chance or because Taylor had praised my play extravagantly, was a very large one; there were as many well-dressed men and women present as though a dance were on the way. The ladies decked out in gay hats and flowers, the gentlemen in fashionable dress, the large green carpet, the inquisitive looks which were fixed upon me, every detail down to the glass of water which Granville solemnly placed by my side--which struck me as very ludicrous--all this combined to inspire me with profound emotion.