And, indeed, Nina managed to get through the rest of her
part without any serious breakdown, to Estelle's exceeding joy.
As they went home together in the four-wheeled cab, Nina did not utter a
word. Once or twice Estelle fancied she heard a slight sob; but she
merely said to herself,
"Ah, it has come back, that trembling of the nerves? But I will make her
take some wine at supper, and she will go to bed and sleep well;
to-morrow she will have forgotten all about it."
And Estelle was most kind and considerate when they got down to Sloane
Street. She helped Nina off with her things; she stirred up the fire;
she put a bottle of white wine on the table, where supper was already
laid; she drew in Nina's chair for her. Then Mrs. Grey came up, to see
that her children, as she called them, were all right; and she was
easily induced to stay for a little while, for a retired actress is
always eager to hear news of the theatre; so she and Miss Girond fell to
talking between themselves. Nina sat silent; her eyes seemed heavy and
tired; she only pretended to touch the food and wine before her.
"Very well, then, Nina," her friend said, when Mrs.
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