‘One of the men adored me rather too much,’ she recalled with a grimace. ‘But for the intervention of yourself and a courageous French gentleman, I’d have been abducted and brutally abused. The curse of that play struck once again.’

Conscious that they were having a conversation that they’d already had at least three or four times, Paul sought to break the impasse. Hannah was beyond the reach of reason. It was no use pointing out that she’d be damaging her future prospects if she pulled out of the production at short notice. Managers were not impressed by examples of pique and unreliability. Since Hannah was adamant, there was only one course of action left to him.

‘Very well,’ he said, changing tack. ‘I accept and endorse your decision. If the play offends you so much, spare no more time on the ordeal of taking part in it. Besides, there are only two more performances to go. I’m sure that she can cope perfectly well with those.’

Hannah started. ‘She?’

‘Miss Glenn.’

‘Why mention her? If I withdraw, the performances will be cancelled.’

‘The manager can’t afford to do that, Hannah. He’d have to refund a large amount of money. Even without you, the play must go on. Dorothea Glenn will be an adequate replacement.’

‘Nobody can replace me,’ she snarled.

‘In the strictest sense, you are quite right. No actress alive can attain your high standards but, then, Miss Glenn is not in competition with her idol. She accepts that she can only give a pale version of your performance, but the play will at least have a Lady Macbeth. Audiences will be disappointed when they hear of your indisposition but they will not be turned away.’

He paused to see what effect his words were having on Hannah. Much as he loved her, he was fully aware of her vanity and capriciousness. Paul saw it as his job to moderate her behaviour and steer her away from impulses that could have serious consequences. In raising the prospect of a replacement, he’d caught her on the raw. Hannah was very possessive. The idea of someone else taking over her role was anathema to her. He pressed on.

‘You’ve often said that Miss Glenn has great promise.’

‘It’s true,’ she conceded.

‘Like many young actresses, she’s modelled herself on you. It’s not often that you befriend newcomers to the profession, but that’s what you did with her.’

‘Dorothea is … a likeable young lady.’

‘Do you believe she will go far?’

‘I’m certain of it.’

‘Then seize this opportunity to advance her career,’ suggested Paul. ‘Since you feel unable to take on the role yourself, allow her to step out from beneath your shadow and show the audience what she has to offer.’ There was a long silence. In the end, Paul had to prod her out of it. ‘Well?’

‘I’ll think about it.’