along the corridor leading to his room
and to those of the other members of the troupe he had the misfortune to
be detected by Scapin, who, evidently on the watch for him, was peeping
out of his own half-open door, grinning, grimacing, and gesticulating
significantly, as he noted the other's limping gait and drooping figure.

In vain did Leander strive to straighten himself up and assume a gay,
careless air; his malicious tormentor was not in the least taken in by
it.

The next morning the comedians prepared to resume their journey; no
longer, however, in the slow-moving, groaning ox-cart, which they were
glad, indeed, to exchange for the more roomy, commodious vehicle that
the tyrant had been able to hire for them--thanks to the marquis's
liberality--in which they could bestow themselves and their belongings
comfortably, and to which was harnessed four stout draught horses.

Leander and Zerbine were both rather late in rising, and the last to
make their appearance--the former with a doleful countenance, despite
his best efforts to conceal his sufferings under a cheerful exterior,
the latter beaming with satisfaction, and with smiles for everybody.
She was decidedly inclined to be munificent towards her companions, and
bestow upon them some of the rich spoils that had fallen plentifully
to her share--taking quite a new position among them--even the duenna
treating her with a certain obsequious, wheedling consideration, which
she had been far from ever showing her before. Scapin, whose keen
observation nothing ever escaped, noticed that her box had suddenly
doubled in weight, by some magic or other, and drew his own conclusions
therefrom. Zerbine was a universal favourite, and no one begrudged
her her good fortune, save Serafina, who bit her lip till it bled, and
murmured indignantly, "Shameless creature!" but the soubrette pretended
not to hear it, content for the moment with the signal humiliation of
the arch-coquette.

At last the new Thespian chariot was ready for a start, and our
travellers bade adieu to the hospitable chateau, where they had been
so honourably received and so generously treated, and which they all,
excepting poor Leander, quitted with regret. The tyrant dwelt upon
the bountiful supply of pistoles he had received; the pedant upon
the capital wines of which he had drunk his fill; Matamore upon
the enthusiastic applause that had been lavished upon him by that
aristocratic audience; Zerbine upon th