Page:Rachel (1887 Nina H. Kennard).djvu/54

 overwhelmed with nervousness every time she undertook a new rôle. Rose, her servant, who knew her better than anyone, would enumerate all the symptoms of that disease called "stage fright," from which her mistress suffered on "first nights": inability to speak or move, her hands cold and trembling, perspiration running down her face, a nervous irritability that was most trying to those around her. The critics, in consequence, often pronounced a part a perfect failure that, after several representations, was numbered among her greatest triumphs. So it was now. She did not act nearly up to her usual average, and the coldness of the audience completed her discomfiture. They had heard of the enormous demands made by her father, and wreaked their displeasure on the young girl, destined all her life, like the Roxane she impersonated, to be the plaything of that tyrant, the Public, and the slave of those who sought to enrich themselves by her popularity and her genius. The very clique paid by the opposition did not applaud, while the critics showed that she could expect no support from them. Her enemies were triumphant, her friends depressed, and everyone believed the moment prophesied by the sociétaires had really come. "The public was weary of its new toy." Védel, at the end of his resources, went to see Janin, hoping to modify his judgment, and induce him to treat the young actress with more leniency. Critic and manager were discussing the subject, when Rachel was announced; she was evidently nervous and embarrassed, and hung her head like a criminal before his judge. Janin received her with the greatest kindness, and calmed her somewhat, but confessed that, in spite of all the affection he felt for her, and the interest he took in her career, it was im-