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Portion I.

1. Michael Gosselyn’s office was furnished in good taste. Everyone

who came there realized at once that it was an office of the

manager of a first class theatre. The walls had been panelled

and on them hung engravings of theatrical pictures by Zoffany and

de Wilde. The carved furniture was solid. Only a specialist

could guess that it was not the real Chippendale.

Everybody knew that Michael was very thrifty and ran the theatre

on business-like lines. The decorator had to accept the client’s

terms and made the most of what he had. The room was designed

to make an impression of prosperity at the least possible

expense.

Michael was extremely proud of his office and Julia, who saw

through him, couldn’t help smiling at the complacency on his face.

2. Julia realized what a treat it would be for a young

accountant to have breakfast at her place, she was just not sure

if it would be proper to invite him. Julia gave him a doubtful

look. His confusion was so touching, he blushed scarlet. It was

clear that the sight of the famous actress took his breath away.

He admired her so frankly that Julia couldn’t but feel

flattered. His attitude made her feel larger than life-size, made

her the greatest actress. And a great actress must be generous.

It’s generosity that distinguishes a great actress. Julia thought

that she could make an exception for him. The young man was

invited.

3. Jimmie Langton was running a repertory theatre at Middlepool.

He was a talented director. At first sight it seemed strange

that actors agreed to work in his theatre. He worked his cast

hard. He screamed at them, he bullied them, he underpaid them, he

mocked them and drove them like slaves.

He had such a passion for the theatre, that the actors felt

that they couldn’t afford to let him down. It gave them a sort

of satisfaction to comply with his outrageous demands to please

him.

Jimmie had wanted to be an actor himself, but his physique

practically prevented him from going on the stage. He was fat,

bald-headed and looked like one of Rubens’ prosperous burghers.

Besides, he was a bad actor.

4. Julia was a born actress and she had no doubt that she

would go on the stage. Her career was singularly lacking in

hardship.

Her first teacher was an old French actress, who taught her all

necessary things : how to walk and how to hold herself on the

stage, how to articulate distinctly and how to use her sense of

timing, which Julia had by instinct. She was quick-studied.

A certain number of tricks that Julia had learned from her, later

turned to be out of date and Julia had to get rid of them.

She had to acquire a more conversational style to be able to

act in modern plays. But she always thought of Jane Taitbout

with gratitude.

5. Michael’s father was a Colonel. Neither he nor Michael’s

mother approved of the idea of Michael’s going on the stage.

Though they had to submit to that, they insisted that Michael

should be educated like a gentleman. Old Mr. Gosselyn was a

pensioner, but still, he managed to send Michael to Cambridge and

dreamt that Michael would excel there.

Michael was proud of his ancestry. He wore the signet ring with

the family stamp — a boar’s head — and a Latin motto : “Nemo me

impune lacessit”. On the whole, he wasn’t a snob, but he was

shocked to learn that Julia’s father was a vet.

6. Michael was determined to go into management and make a

career. He thought that there was only one way of becoming well-

off — that is to be one’s own master.

They could start on the minimum of five thousand pounds. He had

no idea how to raise a sum like that. He could hardly expect

to borrow money as he didn’t know anyone who could lend him

that sum. However, Michael hoped that an old rich lady would

support him.

Michael knew that one couldn’t hope to make a success in London,

unless he was unknown. One had got to know the ropes. If one

made a good reputation in London, it would be easier to find

backers.

Portion II.

1. Though Michael told Julia a lot about his family, she wasn’t

aware that they knew about her existence. That is why she

couldn’t but be surprised to receive a letter from Michael’s

mother who invited her to Cheltenham for Holy Week. The prospect

of spending a whole week with Michael was enchanting. It took

her breath away to think of it and she look forward to the

holidays.

It didn’t take her long to discover that Michael had brought

her down to Cheltenham for his parents to inspect her. The

thought flashed through her mind that there was only one possible

reason for it. When she thought of it, her heart leaped.

2. Michael was anxious for Julia to make a good impression on

his parents. Julia realized soon that she would be able to

enchant them. As a matter of fact, she was aware that she was

able to enchant anybody. It was clear that Michael’s parents were

not fond of the idea that their son was going to marry an

actress. Julia instinctively felt that she had to conceal the

actress and play the part of a modest ingenious girl.

Michael’s mother was happy to learn that Julia wasn’t made-up or

loud. No one would dream that Julia was on the stage. Besides,

she was head over ears in love with her son and it flattered

her motherly pride.

Julia gave a perfect performance of the village maiden.

3. Michael had affection and admiration for Julia, he felt at

ease with her. But he took her love for granted and it was

obvious that he wasn’t in love with her. It was no good

deceiving herself.

At first this made Julia unhappy. Now and then she lost control

of herself and made him frantic scenes.

But then she began to doubt if he was capable of loving

anybody. It didn’t seem worth while to suffer from it. Soon

Julia was content to love Michael whereas he allowed her to

love him.

4. When Julia found out that an American manager had offered

Michael a part, her heart sank. She had to exercise all her self-

control to pretend that she was as excited as he was. But

when Julia remained alone, she lost control of herself and began

to cry in earnest.

In America Michael was going to save every cent he could, so,

in two years he expected to have the best part of four thousand

pounds.

5. When Julia realized that she had fallen out of love with

Michael, she fell into despair. She felt that she had lost

something that was infinitely precious to her. Her heart sank.

She was displayed. She was inclined to cry, because her fortune

had failed her.

But when she had thought it over, her grief made a way to

relief. Now she was her own mistress and not a slave of her

love. Now she looked at Michael not with the eyes of a woman

in love but with shrewd penetrating eyes. Yes, it was great to

be free and she would be able to make the most of her freedom.

Portion III.

1. As soon as the war ended Michael began to work as an actor

and soon gained a reputation in London.

He spared no effort to force managers to pay him the salary

he thought he was worth, but if he couldn’t get it, he was

prepared to take less.

He still thought of going into management, but though they had

saved seven thousand pounds, the sum was inadequate.

Mrs. de Vries came to their rescue. She agreed to put up money

and become their partner.

2. As time went on, Michael took to directing. He still acted

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