Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/73

cold and distant to me, and—God help me!—I love him still!"

She broke down here, and wept silently for a minute or two. Then she went on:—

"Of course, in a case like this, neither of us remained long in ignorance of the other's secret. Liz saw into my heart quickly enough, just as I had seen into hers. We said nothing, but from that hour a bitter enmity sprang up between us, all the more intense because it was never allowed to vent itself in the smallest way. To see us go through our performances, one would think we were the best of friends—almost sisters, in fact. Night after night, we came out together into the ring, smiling and curtsying. We were always greeted with a burst of applause, which often lasted until we had got right to the top of the immense building. I sometimes wondered what the people would have thought if they had seen the black looks that passed between us up there, and knew the stifled hatred that raged in each heart!

"I am not sure if Mr. Ferris ever saw how matters stood. I rather fancy he had some inkling of the truth. As I have said, his treatment of me was cold and formal, though he was considerate enough in other ways. But with Liz his manner was altogether different. He chatted and laughed with her, teased her about her admirers, and seemed never to tire of her company. They never appeared to notice me as I stood in the background and watched them. How I pined for one of those smiles! How my heart yearned for a few gentle words! But, pine or yearn as I might, I knew that coldness and indifference would be my lot as long as she was at hand. This thought made me hate her the more, and I longed to get rid of her. If only some chance—some lucky accident—would deprive me of my rival, then I might hope to win some small share of his regard.

"One night—it was towards the close of the season—we were to have a special performance, patronized by the colonel and officers of the garrison. People began to collect early, and we had a crowded house. The officers dropped in after mess, just before it came to our turn to come on.

"He led her into the ring."

"When we stepped out from our dressing-room, Mr. Ferris took Liz by the hand and led her into the ring. He looked down at her with a smile, and said something that made her glance up at him in her pert, laughing way. The sight maddened me! For a moment I thought of turning back, and refusing to take part in the performance. Then I hurried forward, but it was in a fierce, reckless mood, that made my limbs