# XIII: What May Be Heard in a Greenroom explained — Mr. Incoul’s Misadventure

> Chapter companion for Mr. Incoul’s Misadventure by Edgar Saltus.

## What happens

Mr. Incoul attends a new ballet at the Opéra with his wife Maida and guests. During the entr'acte, he visits the foyer de la danse and overhears a conversation linking the dancer Mirette to Lenox Leigh, whom she accompanied from Biarritz. He observes Mirette's entrance and her intimate exchange with Lenox, then steps outside to walk alone for half an hour, returning with a flushed face and a faint smile.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Betrayal

Mr. Incoul overhears gossip linking Lenox Leigh to Mirette, confirming his suspicions of deception.

### Wealth and Power

The conversation among the viveurs emphasizes the power of American wealth in Parisian society, particularly in relation to Lenox's gambling.

### Social Class and Reputation

The foyer de la danse is depicted as a marketplace, with dancers and patrons negotiating social and financial transactions.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Incoul

Attends the ballet, overhears gossip about Mirette and Lenox, observes their meeting, and walks outside alone, returning with a flushed face and a smile.

### Miss Maida Barhyte

Hosts a box at the Opéra with guests; notices Mr. Incoul's changed mood upon his return.

### Lenox Leigh

Seen waiting for Mirette in a side scene; they exchange a scarf and whisper together.

### Mirette

The principal dancer in the new ballet; enters the foyer with striking grace, is linked to Lenox Leigh in conversation, and meets him privately.

### De la Dèche

Accompanies Mr. Incoul to the foyer de la danse; a nobleman and figurehead of the Cercle des Capucines.

### Mr. Wainwaring

Guest in the Incouls' box with his wife and daughter.

### Balaguine

Mentioned in gossip as the Russian who accompanied Mirette to Biarritz.

## Key lines

> They came up from Biarritz together,” he heard him say. “She went there with Chose, that Russian.” “Balaguine?” “Precisely.”

Mr. Incoul overhears that Mirette traveled from Biarritz with a Russian named Balaguine.

_This confirms the connection between Mirette and Lenox, as Lenox was also in Biarritz._

> Through the parting crowd Mirette passed with a carriage such as no queen, save perhaps Semiramis, ever possessed. She moved from the hips, her body was erect and unswayed. It was the perfection of artificial grace.

Mirette's entrance is described as regal and deliberately artificial, captivating the onlookers.

_Highlights Mirette's performative allure and the effect she has on the men present._

> In her face his shrewdness had discerned nothing but the animal and the greed of unsatiated appetites.

Mr. Incoul sees only raw desire and greed in Mirette's expression, unlike the other men who are enchanted.

_Shows Mr. Incoul's cynical and perceptive nature._

## Links

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