"Capital, Nina! Very well done!" Lionel exclaimed (to himself) in the
wings. "You're on the right track. It is easier to tone down than to
brace up. Don't be afraid--keep it going--you'll grow business-like soon
enough."
Here Clara had to come tripping off the stage, and Lionel had to go on;
he had no opportunity of speaking to her until the end of the act, when
they chanced to meet in the long glazed corridor.
"You're a bit nervous to-night, Nina," he said, in a kindly way.
"But so as to be bad?" she said, quickly and anxiously.
"It was very well done indeed--it was splendid--but you almost take too
much pains. Most girls with a voice like yours would merely sing a part
like that and think the management was getting enough. I suppose you
don't know yourself that you keep repeating what the other person is
saying to you--as if he weren't getting on fast enough--"
Nina paused for a second.
"Yes, I understand--I understand what you mean," she said, rather
slowly; then she continued, in her usual way, "But to-night, Leo, I am
anxious--oh, there are so many things!--this is the first time I act
with Miss Burgoyne; and I wish them not to say I am a stick--for your
sake, Leo--you brought me here--I must do what I can.
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