aught me
some of the motives of my present conduct. But away reflection! I have
resolved to forswear it. My pretty Cora!" said he, aloud, as he turned
back to the actress, "you are a very De Stael in your wisdom: but let
us not be wise; 'tis the worst of our follies. Do you not give us one of
your charming suppers to-night?"

"To be sure: your friend will join us. He was once the gayest of the
gay; but years and fame have altered him a little."

"Radclyffe gay! Bah!" said Godolphin surprised. "Ay, you may well look
astonished," said Fanny, archly; "but note that smile--it tells of old
days."

And Godolphin turning to his friend, saw indeed on the thin lip of that
earnest face a smile so buoyant, so joyous, that it seemed as if the
whole character of the man were gone: but while he gazed, the smile
vanished, and Radclyffe gravely declined the invitation.

Cora was now on the stage: a transport of applause shook the house.

"How well she acts!" said Radclyffe warmly.

"Yes," answered Godolphin, as with folded arms he looked quietly on;
"but what a lesson in the human heart does good acting teach us! Mark
that glancing eye--that heaving breast--that burst of passion--that
agonised voice: the spectators are in tears! The woman's whole soul
is in her child! Not a bit of it! She feels no more than the boards we
tread on: she is probably thinking of the lively supper we shall have;
and when she comes off the stage, she will cry, 'Did I not act it
well?'"

"Nay," said Radclyffe, "she probably feels while she depicts the
feeling."

"Not she: years ago she told me the whole science of acting was trick;
and trick--trick--trick it is, on the stage or off. The noble art of
oratory--(noble forsooth!)--is just the same: philosophy, poetry--all,
all hypocrisy. 'Damn the moon!' said B---- to me, as we once stood
gazing on it at Venice; 'it always gives me the ague: but I have
described it well in my poetry, Godolphin--eh?'"

"But--," began Radclyffe.

"But me no buts," interrupted Godolphin, with the playful pertinacity
which he made so graceful: "you are younger than I am; when you have
lived as long, you shall have a right to contradict my system--not
before."

Godolphin joined the supper party. Like Godolphin's, Fanny's life was
the pursuit of pleasure: she lavished on it, in proportion to her
means, the same cost and expense, though she wanted the same taste and
refinement. Generous and profuse, like all her tribe--li