e hearth-rug. 'Do you remember that
play of mine I showed you in the spring?'

Kendal took time to think.

'Perfectly; you mean that play by that young Italian fellow which you
altered and translated? I remember it quite well. I have meant to ask you
about it once or twice lately.'

'You thought well of it, I know. Well, my sister has got me into the most
uncomfortable hobble about it. You know I hadn't taken it to any manager.
I've been keeping it by me, working it up here and there. I am in no want
of money just now, and I had set my heart on the thing's being really
good--well written and well acted. Well, Agnes, in a rash moment two or
three days ago, and without consulting me, told Miss Bretherton the whole
story of the play, and said that she supposed I should soon want somebody
to bring it out for me. Miss Bretherton was enormously struck with the
plot, as Agnes told it to her, and the next time I saw her she insisted
that I should read some scenes from it to her--'

'Good heavens! and now she has offered to produce it and play the
principal part in it herself,' interrupted Kendal.

Wallace nodded. 'Just so; you see, my relations with her are so friendly
that it was impossible for me to say no. But I never was in a greater
fix. She was enthusiastic. She walked up and down the room after I'd done
reading, repeating some of the passages, going through some of the
situations, and wound up by saying, "Give it me, Mr. Wallace! It shall be
the first thing I bring out in my October season--if you will let me have
it." Well, of course, I suppose most people would jump at such an offer.
Her popularity just now is something extraordinary, and I see no signs of
its lessening. Any piece she plays in is bound to be a success, and I
suppose I should make a good deal of money out of it; but then, you see,
I don't want the money, and--'

'Yes, yes, I see,' said Kendal, thoughtfully; 'you don't want the money,
and you feel that she will ruin the play. It's a great bore certainly.'

'Well, you know, how could she help ruining it? She couldn't play the
part of Elvira--you remember the plot?--even decently. It's an extremely
difficult part. It would be superb--I think so, at least--in the hands
of an actress who really understood her business; but Miss Bretherton
will make it one long stagey scream, without any modulation, any shades,
any delicacy. It drives one wild to think of it. And yet how, in the
name of fortune, am I t