(_The door at the back of stage opens and_ MADAME PACE _enters and takes a few steps forward. She is a fat, oldish woman with puffy oxygenated hair. She is rouged and powdered, dressed with a comical elegance in black silk. Round her waist is a long silver chain from which hangs a pair of scissors. The Step-Daughter runs over to her at once amid the stupor of the actors_). THE STEP-DAUGHTER (_turning towards her_). There she is! There she is! THE FATHER (_radiant_). It's she! I said so, didn't I? There she is! THE MANAGER (_conquering his surprise, and then becoming indignant_). What sort of a trick is this? LEADING MAN (_almost at the same time_). What's going to happen next? JUVENILE LEAD. Where does _she_ come from? L'INGÉNUE. They've been holding her in reserve, I guess. LEADING LADY. A vulgar trick! THE FATHER (_dominating the protests_). Excuse me, all of you! Why are you so anxious to destroy in the name of a vulgar, commonplace sense of truth, this reality which comes to birth attracted and formed by the magic of the stage itself, which has indeed more right to live here than you, since it is much truer than you--if you don't mind my saying so? Which is the actress among you who is to play Madame Pace? Well, here is Madame Pace herself. And you will allow, I fancy, that the actress who acts her will be less true than this woman here, who is herself in person. You see my daughter recognized her and went over to her at once. Now you're going to witness the scene! _But the scene between the_ STEP-DAUGHTER _and_ MADAME PACE _has already begun despite the protest of the actors and the reply of_ THE FATHER. _It has begun quietly, naturally, in a manner impossible for the stage. So when the actors, called to attention by_ THE FATHER, _turn round and see_ MADAME PACE, _who has placed one hand under the_ STEP-DAUGHTER'S _chin to raise her head, they observe her at first with great attention, but hearing her speak in an unintelligible manner their interest begins to wane._ THE MANAGER. Well? well? LEADING MAN. What does she say? LEADING LADY. One can't hear a word. JUVENILE LEAD. Louder! Louder please! THE STEP-DAUGHTER (_leaving Madame Pace, who smiles a Sphinx-like smile, and advancing towards the actors_). Louder? Louder? What are you talking about? These aren't matters which can be shouted at the top of one's voice. If I have spoken them out loud, it was to shame him and have my revenge (_indicates Father_). But for Madame it's quite a different matter.