She went in, and prayed for full two
hours. She came out, pale and listless, and Ashmead got her home how he
could. Her very body seemed all crushed and limp. Ashmead left her, sad
at heart himself.
So long as she was in sight Ashmead could think only of her misery: but
the moment she was out of sight, he remembered the theater. She was
announced for Rosina that very night. He saw trouble of all sorts before
him. He ran to the theater, in great alarm, and told the manager she had
been taken very ill. He must change the bill.
"Impossible!" was the reply. "If she can't sing, I close."
Ashmead went back to "The Star."
Ina was in her bedroom.
He sent in a line, "Can you sing tonight? If not he says he must close."
The reply came back in rather a trembling hand. "I suffer too much by
falsehood to break faith myself. I shall pray till night: and then I
shall sing. If I die on the stage, all the better for me."
Was not this a great soul?
CHAPTER XI.
THAT same morning our English party snatched a hasty breakfast in
traveling attire. Severne was not there; but sent word to Vizard he
should be there in time.
This filled the cup.
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