_Le Barbier_ at an end, the performance of _Fanchon_ was hurried forward. All of the cast of the first play, with the exception of Madame de Marsan and myself, were to appear in the second. We two had plenty of time to change our costumes. All the dressing rooms opened on the garden; those of the ladies were separated from ours only by an avenue of lindens. Having resumed my civilian costume, I went out into the garden for a breath of air. The second play had begun long before, and everybody was on the stage or among the spectators. The solitude and tranquillity of the garden were in refreshing contrast to the clamor not far away. I was not sorry to be able to saunter there for a moment; but as I crossed the avenue of lindens, I saw a lady come from one of the dressing rooms opposite. I stopped; it was Madame de Marsan; it was my Rosine. She recognized me and came toward me. "Where is Monsieur le Comte Almaviva going, pray?" "I came out to enjoy this cool shade a moment; but I missed something: Almaviva cannot be happy without Rosine." "Rosine is not at all sure that she ought to go with you." "What! after consenting to allow yourself to be abducted?" "In truth, I should play the cruel now with a bad grace; but remember that you swore to be true to me! to love me always, to love none but me!" "Oh! I swear it again! I have no other desire than to repeat it every moment!" "But where are you taking me? we seem to be going a long way. Why do you take the darkest paths? Why are we going in under these trees? It is too dark here!" "Dear Rosine, what can you fear, with me?" "Dear Lindor, I am ill at ease." "Did you not intrust yourself unreservedly to me?" "Ah! I fear that I was not wise. What are you doing? Kissing me like this! Oh! that isn't in the play." "Do we refuse a kiss to the lover who is to be our husband?" "Stop--Lindor--Dorsan---- Oh! this scene----" "Dear Rosine, what is it but the natural sequel? ought it not to crown our love?" Madame de Marsan tried in vain to resist; it was too late; I had entered too completely into the spirit of my rôle, and she had identified herself with hers. We added to _Le Barbier de Séville_ the scene which the audience does not see, but which it may well divine after the union of Almaviva and Rosine. For some time the thicket had witnessed that charming scene, half lighted by the moon. The fervor with which we played our parts caused us to forget the world and the fête. I was determined that Almaviva should obtain as great a triumph in the thicket as on the stage, and Rosine was so prompt in response that I could not lag behind. We had not begun to think of the dénouement, when it was hastened by an unforeseen incident; but, to explain it, we must return to the theatre.