With no time to waste, Mina and Lucien hurried to the palace stage, where the other players were waiting to rehearse. Mina had never performed as a character before, but with Isabella’s refusal she was left with no choice. She took on the role of Columbine. Other roles were filled by actors from various troupes.
At first it seemed an impossible task because the players were used to more freedom than this story allowed—they had a tendency to veer away from the written words. But Sofia kept a firm hand over the proceedings. The actors worked long into the night, learning their lines. Few of them could read, but through repetition they soon memorised their speeches.
It was late by the time Sofia let them depart so they could sleep. She and Mina returned to Amora’s. Mina thought she would ne
