Elephant Man - Christine Sparks [112]
“You women are such strange and wonderful creatures. Alas, it seems to be my fate to fall in love with each and every one of you. I especially wish you could all be with me tonight. I’m finally going to the theater.”
He stood for a moment, reluctant to leave their company, but time was passing and his companions were waiting for him. How warm and friendly that sounded. He repeated the phrase to himself as he left the room.
His ladies were waiting for him by the front entrance: Nora in a deep red, low-cut evening gown that provided a perfect background for her dark prettiness, Mothershead dressed more demurely. Nora’s eyes were shining at the prospect of going to the theater. For a few hours she could pretend that she was the actress beyond the footlights, as she might have been if only her father had been a little less adamant.
Mothershead had never been to the theater in her entire life, but this fact was only partly responsible for the glow of pleasure that made her look ten years younger. Most of it was due to her gratification that John had chosen her as his friend, and her enjoyment of his happiness.
Treves helped Merrick up into the carriage, then stood back for the ladies to pass in. As soon as Nora was inside she deposited herself firmly on the seat next to Merrick and gave him her best beaming smile. Throughout the journey she kept up a stream of merry small talk directed at him. Treves regarded the two of them with satisfaction. They might have been any cheerful young couple out for a night’s gaiety. Nora was playing her part to perfection.
They caught just a glimpse of the brilliantly lit front of the Drury Lane Theatre before the carriage swept round a corner to deposit them outside the royal entrance. The door was open and standing just inside Treves could see Mrs. Kendal and the theater manager. As the carriage stopped Mrs. Kendal swept forward to welcome them. Nora’s eyes widened at the sight of the famous actress.
Merrick responded politely to Mrs. Kendal’s greeting, but he seemed in a daze. He only came out of it when she said, “Will you escort me into the theater, Mr. Merrick?”
Finding her standing on his left side Merrick at once offered her his arm, and they walked inside together. When they came to the stairs Treves positioned himself discreetly behind Merrick, lest his help be needed. Merrick had always found stairs difficult, and now he was not as strong as he had been. But he climbed firmly, if a little slowly. Mrs. Kendal slowed her pace to his, lingering now and then to point out a picture hanging on the wall, and so giving him a chance to pause and recover his strength unobtrusively. It was a masterly piece of tact that preserved Merrick’s illusions and won Treves’ admiration.
At the top of the stairs Mrs. Kendal halted.
“There is the royal box just before us, Mr. Merrick,” she said. “Her Royal Highness is waiting to welcome you.”
“I am very glad to meet Her Royal Highness again,” he told her gravely. “The last time we met we had such an enjoyable talk.”
In another moment a footman had pulled open the door, and Princess Alexandra was rising to her feet within, coming forward, holding out her left hand and saying, “Mr. Merrick, how nice to see you again. That was such a kind letter you sent me …”
Treves began to breathe more freely. The evening showed every sign of being a success—as long as Nora and Mothershead didn’t faint dead away at the Princess’s feet. He spared an amused glance for Mothershead, who looked, for once, totally unsure of herself.
The seating of the box had been arranged with care. Nora and Mothershead were put to the front, to shield Merrick from curious eyes. The Elephant Man sat farther back, between Treves and the Princess. He seemed back in his daze again, his eyes wandering slowly round the ornate auditorium.