The applause has faded, the red velvet curtain has fallen. Séverine sits back on the gold-plated chair in the middle of the stage, pulling off her long gloves one finger at a time, then lightly tossing the feathered shawl over her shoulder.
Oh, there's still one person left after the final bow. Come a bit closer, mon chéri—the best part of tonight's show hasn't been told on stage yet. I only tell that to one specific person.
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