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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

occasionally, but less frequently than earlier. When he said he

was going to direct their next play, Julia was doubtful. She

suspected that nothing good would come of it. Michael had no

fantasy and his ideas were commonplace. But he made a much

better job of it, than Julia expected. As he knew perfectly

well what Julia was capable, he was able to get more out of

her than any other director.

With the cast he was friendly, but exacting. When tempers grew

frayed, his good humour, his real kindness smoothed things over.

3. Michael’s complacency exasperated Julia. He beamed with pleasure

when he managed to beat an opponent at golf or get the better

of someone in a business deal.

Besides, he was a crashing bore. He liked to tell Julia

everything he did and every scheme that passed through his mind.

It had been charming to listen to Michael, when she was head

over ears in love with him, but after she had fallen out of

love with him, Julia had to exercise all her tact not to show

him he was bored to death.

More over, he was outrageously vain of his appearance. As a

youth, he had taken his beauty for granted, but with advancing

years, he began to pay more attention to it and spared no pains

to keep what was left of it. It became an obsession.

4. Evie was Julia’s maid and dresser. She had been in Julia’s

employment for a long time. Evie was a cockney. One could get

it at once by listening to her speech. She was thin, angular and

her red hair always looked as if it needed washing. Two of her

front teeth were missing. No matter how hard Julia tried to

provide her with new ones, all her efforts were in vain.

Michael thought that Evie’s appearance wasn’t suitable to their

position and tried to persuade Julia to have another maid. But

Julia paid no attention to his dissatisfaction. She was content

to have Evie as her maid and dresser, she only wanted Evie to

break herself of the habit of sniffing all the time. Evie was a

skilful maid, she had never let Julia down. She had the courage

to say to Julia’s face what she thought of her. It amused Julia

greatly.

Portion IV.

1. Julia had a lot of acquaintances among aristocrats. As she

was such a famous actress, they made much of her and went out

of their way to be nice to her. She could boast of the fact

that she could call some duchesses by their first names.

The papers often put pictures where Julia was photographed at

week-end parties among a number of aristocratic persons. It was

good publicity. But at the bottom of her heart, Julia had a

profound contempt for the great ladies and noble lords, because

they lived in idleness and she was an artist. When she had a

chance, she was glad to put them in their place. She laughed at

these smart women up her sleeve, because they were dazzled by her

glamour and had no idea of how unromantic the life of a

successful actress was and the hard work it entailed.

2. Charles Tamerley was Julia’s best friend. He had such

exquisite manners, that one could see at once, how well-bred he

was. He was an amateur of the arts and well-read. Before meeting

Charles, Julia had been completely ignorant. He took her to

museums, imparted information to her. Julia had a good memory and

soon she could pass for a cultured woman as she was able to

talk about literature and art. Julia couldn’t help but be

conscious of how much she owed to him. Yet, his love of art

filled her with a faint derision. After all, she was a creator

and he was only a spectator.

3. Julia took Charles fancy twenty years ago and he had been

madly in love with her ever since. When finally he plucked up

the courage to make a declaration of love, Julia got into his

head that there was nothing doing. Exercising all her tact, Julia

managed to convince Charles that they should remain friends.

Charles was her adviser, her confidant. She could count upon him

coming to her rescue in any case. He never let her down.

4. Julia realized that Tom could hardly afford to entertain her

and she was taken by his desire to please her.

He said he had forgotten to put his watch on because he had

dressed in a hurry. But one look at him was enough to realize

that he had taken a lot of trouble to look smart.

When it dawned on her that he must have pawned his watch to

take her out to supper, she was inclined to cry. She might have

offered to pay the bill, but checked herself in time. It was out

of the question. It would have hurt his pride.

Portion V.

1. When Julia realized that she had fallen in love with Tom, she

was shocked. She was determined to keep her head. She couldn’t

afford to open her true feelings because she knew very well that

Tom wasn’t in love with her. She had to admit that an affair

with her flattered Tom’s vanity.

Julia did her best to make it plain to him that she laid no

claims on him and he was free to do whatever he wanted. She

pretended that she was a good actress. She promised to herself

that she wouldn’t be jealous, she wouldn’t make him any scenes,

she would be tolerant and would take things as they came. She

did everything she could to bind him to her.

2. Tom had a passion for titles. He read about grand people in

newspapers and now and then saw them in a restaurant or a

theatre in the flesh. He was dazzled by grand people. Tom was a

snob. But that was to the good. Julia hoped to make the most

of Tom’s failing to bind him to her. On one excuse and another,

she invited him to grand parties she gave, persuaded Dolly and

Charles to invite him to lunch, got invitations for him to balls.

Poor lamb ! He looked forward to every opportunity of getting

acquainted with eminent people.

Luckily, Michael took a fancy to him. He even thought Tom could

have a good influence on Roger.

Tom made a great hit with Julia’s friends too. He was a good

listener and could give a piece of useful advice on finance.

3. Something was bothering Tom. He looked gloomy and nervous.

When Julia found out that he had got into debt, she immediately

offered to pay all his debts. But sometimes Tom was so out of

date. He couldn’t sponge on women. Julia blamed herself that she

had led Tom into the life that he couldn’t afford. She tried to

convince him that he shouldn’t drudge her the pleasure of coming

to his rescue, when he was at a loose end. Using all her arts

of persuasion, she was able to convince Tom to borrow money from

her.

4. Julia and Michael were rich enough to send their son to Eton

and then to Cambridge.

Roger was seventeen years old. He didn’t look like his mother or

father. He had no inclination for the world of the theatre. He

held himself in some serious way aloof from his parents and

their friends, though he was always very polite to everybody,

Julia suspected, that he took none of them seriously. He never

bothered Julia and he seemed quite capable of amusing himself.

Though Julia loved him very much, he puzzled her. She thought him

dull and not very intelligent. When she was alone with him, time

dragged on.

When Roger was a child, Julia would often be photographed with

him and these photos made a great hit. She wished he could

always remain the sweet pretty little boy he used to be.

Portion VI.

1. It was no good deceiving herself : Tom didn’t love her. He

was her lover only because it flattered his vanity and gave him

confidence in himself. Besides, he got acquainted with many

distinguished persons through her. It turned his head to realize

that he was on familiar terms with some of them. Julia tried to

do her best to bind him. She encouraged him to be extravagant

to make him realize that he couldn’t do without her. Tom was

anxious to join a good club and she was preparing the ground.

She understood perfectly that their affair couldn’t last, but she

wasn’t able to give up Tom.

2. Julia wasn’t happy at all to find out that Tom was becoming

more and more popular with her grand friends. They were glad to

make the most of his financial knowledge and in their turn they

told their friends about him. It was through Julia, that Tom used

to be asked to parties before. Then he began to receive

invitations from people, whom Julia didn’t know. It seemed that he

could do without her. He was busy nearly all the time. His

casualness hurt Julia. Now she was ready to cut any date to see

him. Julia was jealous of those distinguished ladies, whom he met

in society. She had a law opinion of their virtue and was sure

that they could do everything. Those thoughts rankled her. The

only comfort was that all of them were very greedy and without

Julia’s money Tom wouldn’t be able to lead a life, he had got

used to. Or he would have to break himself of the habit of

throwing his money about.

3. Julia was shocked to find out that people had been gossiping

about her. Her reputation had been so good for many years, that

she thought she could afford to do every thing she wanted.

It was Michael, who first noticed that. He accused Tom jokingly

of compromising Julia. At first Julia was taken aback, but at

last she could keep her presence of mind. She was sure, that

Michael wasn’t jealous of Tom. He was too self-satisfied and self-

confident for that. He thought he knew Julia inside and out, but

in fact, he knew nothing about her. He paid no attention to the

gossip and he didn’t mind Julia having some fun. But Julia

couldn’t forget his remark, it gave her no rest.

She racked her brains to understand who could have told it to

him. Then suddenly it occurred to her, that it was Dolly, no

doubt.

4. Julia was furious with Dolly. She wouldn’t stand interference

with her private life. That was none of her business.

Julia was determined to have the matter out with Dolly. She rang

her up to make an appointment. Dolly’s voice sounded cold and

hostile. Julia had always been able to turn Dolly round her

finger, but now she could hardly convince Dolly to come.

When they met, they talked about indifferent things, and then Julia

got down to the point. She never took her eyes off Dolly’s

face while talking. She failed to convince Dolly that Tom wasn’t

her lover. But Dolly pretended that she believed her and said

Julia had taken a great weight off her mind.

Portion VII.

1. Julia had already heard the name of Avice Crichton mentioned

a few times. She knew, that there was some talk that this small-

part actress would perhaps get a part in a play they were going

to put on. So, when Michael once mentioned her, Julia wasn’t

taken aback. Michael said that Tom had put in a word for Avice.

Michael thought it was worth while to go and have a look at

her, but as he was busy on Sunday, he asked Julia to go.

Yielding to curiosity, Julia agreed. Tom was to go with her. But

long before Julia had seen her, she made up her mind that Avice

would never get a part in their theatre.

2. Julia was relieved to see that Avice Crichton couldn’t act to

toffee. This fact took a great weight off her mind.

When the curtain fell, Tom said that he wished Julia go behind

and congratulate Avice. Julia was so amazed, that at first, she

didn’t know if she should burst into laughter or get angry. But

she got over her amazement. She was determined to go through

with it.

Though Avice didn’t seem to be nervous and was self-assured, Julia

wasn’t taken in by her grand manners. It even amused her. Julia

saw that Avice was anxious to get this part.

3. Tom was head over ears in love with Avice. As soon as he

could, he brought the conversation to her. It irked him to see

Julia home.

Julia knew that she must put an end to their affair, she must

get over it. The theatre was her only refuge. She felt relief,

when it was time to go there. Merely to be inside a theatre

rested her. In ordinary life she had to stifle her passion and

her anguish, but on the stage she let herself go.

She had never put more of herself into a part.

4. Although Michael himself might not be a good actor, but he

knew good acting from bad. So he saw at once that Julia was

acting like hell, she was exaggerating and over-acting. Her

performance was rotten.

Michael blamed only himself. Julia needed a good rest. He ought

to have insisted on her taking holiday long ago. He said they

would revive some play. He was even prepared to suffer losses.

The only thing, that mattered, was Julia’s health. Once again Julia

was struck by his magnanimity. Michael was the only man she

could rely on. He would never let her down.

5. She decided to go and stay with her mother. Madame de

Lambert, as Michael insisted on calling her, was an old lady well

over seventy. Julia had a feeling that in the course of her

brilliant career, she had a trifle neglected her mother. Now she

could make up for it.

Her mother and aunt led drab monotonous lives and it would be a

great joy for them to have her on a long visit. And for Julia

it was an opportunity to cut herself off completely for a time

from her old life and regain serenity.

Julia, to her great amazement, soon discovered that to them her

celebrity was an embarrassment rather than an asset. They didn’t

even offer to take her with them to pay calls. Julia was taken

aback, when they said that it would be better if she didn’t tell

anyone that she was an actress. But her sense of humour

prevailed and she felt inclined to laugh.

They made much fuss of her not because she was a great actress,

but because she was in poor health and needed a rest.

Portion VIII.

1. Julia often had to listen to women’s stories about how men

followed them in the street, how they tried to catch their eye,

and how it was difficult to get rid of them. It seemed very

flattering to Julia. She often wondered why she’d never been

followed. It wasn’t as if she had no sex appeal. And what if

not ? Julia decided to put the matter to the test. She had to

be sure.

Julia took much pains to look neither too plain nor too

respectable. A slight smile hovered her lips. Several times Julia

caught her breath catching a man’s eye and expecting him to

start following her, but they all passed by without paying any

attention to her. It was humiliating. It flashed through her mind

that she had chosen the wrong street. But there was nothing to

do.

2. Julia almost lost all hope of being picked up. Suddenly she

noticed a young man looking at her and never taking his eyes

off her. She slandered her pace feeling him behind. It was

beginning to look like an adventure. Julia looked forward to

getting into conversation with the young man. It was interesting

what he would offer. Julia looked at him doubtfully. Judging by

his appearance, it was quite clear that he couldn’t afford to

invite her to a restaurant. She looked him in the face

encouraging him to start speaking. But then suddenly he called

her by her name. She was so astonished, that she nearly jumped

out of her skin.

3. Julia looked forward to the beginning of the rehearsals.

Though Julia had been on the stage for many years, every time

she tried a new part she didn’t feel like a leading lady, but

as if she was a girl playing her first part. She was glad to

meet with other members of the cast. Most of them she knew very

well. Only with actors she felt at ease. She was one of them.

This atmosphere of make-believe was the only one where she could

breathe.

Besides, the rehearsals distracted her mind from disturbing

thoughts. She felt that soon she would be able to get over her

sorrow. Now Tom was his own master. She didn’t care two straws

for him.

4. Julia greeted Avice. They talked about indifferent things, but

Julia watched her out of the corners of her eyes. Michael was

disappointed after the first rehearsal. It seemed she wasn’t

capable of taking directions. He was ready to dismiss her at

once. But Julia couldn’t let it happen. Tom would think that

Avice was dismissed because Julia was jealous of him. Julia had

enough influence on Michael to make him keep Avice in the cast.

She suggested that Michael should go through the part with Avice

in private. In that case she’d be able to give a good

performance. Besides, it was an iron cast part. It was impossible

to spoil it. But at the bottom of her heart Julia always

remembered that she would have to get even with Avice. She’d

never make a success. She’d fail and Julia would see to it. And

it would make up for her anguish.

Portion IX.

1. Julia couldn’t dismiss from her mind the curious conversation

she had had with Roger. She felt uneasy because he accused her

of lacking in personality, he said that Julia didn’t exist apart

from her roles.

She had a talk with Charles about Roger. But he didn’t share

her feelings. He seemed to sympathise more with Roger than with

her. In some way he took Roger seriously. Charles told Julia

that she had nothing to worry about, things would straighten out

for Roger after a while. She should just leave him alone.

Having heard it, Julia felt ill at ease. Roger was thankful to

her, because she had always let him lead his own life. It seemed

strange that such different people thought alike.

2. The first night was special in Julia’s life. In by-gone years

she had been extremely nervous before it. Since early morning

she began to feel slightly sick and towards evening she was so

worked up, that she was about losing her presence of mind.

But now, after having passed through that ordeal so many times,

she had learnt to check her nervousness. But still, by the time

the play was to be begun, she started feeling ill at ease, grew

irritable. Those, who knew her well enough, took care to keep out

of her way. The necessity to speak to people irritated her, she

wished everyone would leave her alone.

But at the bottom of her heart, Julia had a notion that their

new play would be a hit. She looked forward to the moment she

would face the hall, packed with people and would demonstrate

again her power over the public.

3. Michael was the only one, who guessed that Julia had let

Avice down. His eyes were shining with complacency. He thought

that Julia had played such a trick because she was jealous of

Avice to him. He couldn’t but feel flattered. As Julia knew her

husband inside and out, she had a notion what he was thinking

about. She laughed up her sleeve at his mistake. One couldn’t

cure him of his complacency. It would be better to let him

think what he wanted. She really was inclined to laugh, though

she checked herself, she couldn’t conceal a slight smile.

She had settled a score with Avice. She deserved it because she

had a trial to stay in her way.

4. Now Julia was free from the bonds, which had burdened her so

much. She had got over her pain and was relishing her freedom.

She had been such a fool to take Tom and their affair

seriously. But that had been amusing, and it could come in useful

for a new part.

Roger had said that her acting was a make-believe. But that make-

believe was the only reality for her. She was an artist, who

used people’s feelings and her own as a material for the art

and beauty creation.