"Mademoiselle Robillard! What are you doing?"

The sharp exclamation snapped Claire back to her senses. She looked around to see Mademoiselle Gaudet scowling sternly at her as the rest of the ballet girls fought to stifle their laughter. Claire could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as her face turned crimson.

"If the steps are too difficult for you, I can find a place for you in the chorus," Mademoiselle Gaudet scolded. "I'm sure Virginie would be more than happy to dance the featured role."

Claire looked down at the floor. "No, Mademoiselle," she said quietly. "I'm sorry…I'll get it right."

"See that you do," the ballet mistress said. "We open in three weeks. All right, then. Back to your starting positions, everyone."

Several of the girls shot Claire evil glances as they passed her. She couldn't blame them, really. They'd been rehearsing all morning and they were all tired. Now they would have to go through the whole number again before the lunch break – because of her. She felt like crying, but she knew that it would only make Mademoiselle Gaudet angrier. The old woman had little patience with what she called the emotional sentimentality of silly girls.

Claire took a deep breath and bit her lip to keep the tears at bay. She looked over at Sophie, her closest friend, who smiled sympathetically at her. Not everyone hated her, at least! She got into place and waited for the orchestra to begin.