Six o'clock
I was to be the hero , and four days were allowed me to prepare myself . The whole of that time was passed in the company of Eugenia , who , while she gave me unequivocal proofs of attachment , admitted of no freedom . The day of rehearsal arrived , I was found perfect , and loudly applauded by the company . Six o'clock came , the curtain rose , and sixteen tallow candles displayed my person to an audience of about one hundred people . No one who has not been in the situation can form any idea of the nervous feeling of a _ débutant _ on such an occasion . The troupe , with the exception of Eugenia , was of a description of persons whom I despise , and the audience mostly clodhoppers , who could scarcely read or write ; yet I was abashed , and acquitted myself badly , until the balcony scene , when I became enlivened and invigorated by the presence and smiles of my mistress . In the art of love-making I was at home , particularly with the Juliet of that night .