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Updated: September 3, 2025
In this, the last great scene, Pequita, dancing the 'Dagger Dance, is supposed to infect the people with that fervour which moves them to sing "The Freedom Chorus," and the curtain comes down upon a brilliant stage, crowded with enthusiasts and patriots, ready to fight and die for the glory of their country.
She spoke so sweetly and persuasively, that Leroy was profoundly touched. What he would have liked would have been to give the child a roll of gold pieces, but he was playing a strange part, and the time to act openly was not yet. "It shall be as you wish, Madame!" he said with courteous deference. "Pequita, the first time you dance before the King, this shall be yours!"
Just before this had merged into its accompanying splendid and soul-awakening chorus, Pequita, having obtained the consent of the manager to execute her 'Dagger Dance' in the middle of the song, instead of at the end, suddenly sprang towards the footlights in a pirouette of extravagant and exquisite velocity while, checked by a sign from the conductor, the singers ceased.
Among the countless bouquets offered to the triumphant little dancer, came one which was not thrown from the audience, but was brought to her by a messenger; it was a great cluster of scarlet carnations, and attached to it was a tiny velvet case, containing the ring promised to her by Pasquin Leroy, when, as he had said, she 'should dance before the King. A small card accompanied it on which was written 'Pequita, from Pasquin! Turning to Lotys, who, in the event of further turbulence, had accompanied her to the Opera that night to take care of her, and who sat grave, pale, and thoughtful, in one of the dressing-rooms near the stage, the child eagerly showed her the jewel, exclaiming: "See!
We do nothing but try to support ourselves; and we talk a vast amount about supporting others, but Pequita works all the time and says nothing. And she is a genius she does not know it, but she is. Give us the Dagger Dance, Pequita! Then our friend Leroy can judge of you at your best, and make good report of you." Pequita looked at Lotys and received a sign of assent. She then nodded to Valdor.
The flatteries of the great world are spoiling you!" "Bah!" said Pequita, with a contemptuous wave of her small brown hands. "The flatteries of the great world! To what do they lead? To that!" and she made another eloquent sign towards the Royal box; "I would rather dance for you and Lotys, and Sergius Thord, and Pasquin Leroy, than all the Kings of the world together!
Flattered and petted by the great world as she now was, Pequita never lost her head in the whirl of gay splendour, but remained the same child-like, loving little creature, her one idol her father, her only confidante, Lotys, whose gentle admonitions and constant watchfulness saved her from many a dangerous pitfall.
He has kept his promise!" And Lotys, sighing even while she smiled, answered: "Yes, dear! He would not be the brave man he is, if he ever broke his word!" Whereat Pequita slipped the ring on her friend's finger, kissing her and whispering: "Take care of it for me! Wear it for me! For tonight, at least!"
"Someone else will be grateful too!" said Lotys in her rich thrilling voice; and her eyes rested on him with that wonderful magnetic sweetness which drew his soul out of him as by a spell; while Zouche, only partially understanding the conversation said slowly: "Pequita deserves all the good she can get; more than any of us.
"Mine, or Shakespeare's," answered Zouche indolently; "Does it matter which?" Pequita laughed, and her cue being just then called, again she bounded on to the stage; but this time she played her part, as the stock phrase goes, 'to the gallery, and did not once turn her eyes towards the place where the King sat withdrawn into the shadow of his box, giving no sign of applause.
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