Theatre Royal, were
concerned, in connection with a visit to the _Sans Pareil_. The lady was
very desirous to see a piece which was got up with great _eclat_ at the
_Sans Pareil_, and which was attracting crowds of people to see it. I
think it was entitled "Maria Martin; or, the Murder at the Red Barn."
Having expressed her wish to my friend, he at once offered to escort her
any evening on which she was disengaged. Fixing, therefore a night when
her services in Williamson-square were not required, my friend and the
fair _comedienne_ betook themselves to Great Charlotte-street and
presented themselves at the gallery door where the gentleman tendered the
price of their admission. Now the lady had a thick veil on that she
might, as she hoped, conceal her well-known features. But it seems that
Mr. Holloway had at once recognised his fair visitor. On the money being
tendered to Mrs. Holloway at the gallery door, Mr. H. called out from his
door, "Pass 'em in--all right, missus." Now my friend was well aware
that Mr. Holloway knew him, and therefore supposed that as a press man he
would not allow him to pay--not supposing for a minute that the muffled
up figure of his companion had been recognised.

So in they went and managed to climb up the half ladder, half stair, that
led to the "aristocratic" region of the auditory part of the theatre.
These stairs were frightfully dirty and steep. A broom had not been near
them for months, and the lady, picking up her ample skirts, endeavoured
to avoid all contact with both stairs and walls. On emerging from the
top landing into the theatre, they found the place in a state of
semi-darkness. They could just make out a few rows of benches, and
clustering in the middle front were about thirty people. The noise was
horrible, and seemed more so through the prevailing darkness. Shoutings,
bawlings, whistlings, and screamings were in full swing, and the lady
paused for a moment, whispering to her companion, "Oh, let's go back--I
can't stand this at any price."

My friend, however, urged his companion to remain, and at length they
managed to scramble forward, and secure a front seat at one side. The
clamour was now added to by the entrance of the band, who mingled the
sounds of tuning instruments with the other discords prevalent. Just at
this juncture in came Mr. Holloway, who commenced the packing process,
much to the amusement of our lady friend, who now began, in spite of the