Sealed Lips — page 89: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SEALED LIPS. 81 “Nobody could be quicker consoled than I, if you could never sing there again in your life. My whole being is irritated when I see you appear on the stage, and they offer you their admiration— what a sacrilege for them to deign to applaud you and judge you, as if they were worthy to raise their eyes to your beauty.” “Then that is why?” said she, hesitatingly. “Yes, mademoiselle, that is why I no longer go to the Opera. I shall go now less than ever. I wish I could forget the stones of that hateful edifice.” “You are a strange man,” said she. “I never imagined you like this. You are the first one who has understood me. How does it happen? We have known each other such a short time.” “Tt is not true, but it seemsto me that I have always belonged to you. I slepta long time, be- lieving that this sleep was life. One day, like a slave awakened by his mistress’ golden slipper, I came out of my dream. I trembled at your glance, and I find that I wear fetters that I have never known before. How is it? Why dolI belong to you? I know nothing about it. All that I can say is, that you possess me, that you can use me accord- ing to your fancy—that is, even if I wished to fly away, the very next hour would find meat your feet with still heavier chains.” “You speak like a man who had tried the experi- ment,” said she, thinking of the famous supper. He was going to lie again. Let those throw the (EON Aiel ovovoy KS (e(@)