now began, and Sir George Danvers, who had remained behind
to put by the jewels, and lock them up in his strong-box among his
papers, came and sat down by me, again thanking me for taking charge of
them, though I assured him it had been very little trouble.

"Not much trouble, perhaps, but a great responsibility," he said,
courteously.

"A soldier, Sir George," I replied, with a slight smile, "becomes early
inured to the gravest responsibility. It is the air we breathe; it is
taken as a matter of course."

He looked keenly at me, and was silent, as if considering
something--perhaps what I had said.

I was delighted to find the play was one of those which I had seen acted
during our passage home. There is nothing I like so much as knowing a
play beforehand, because then one can always whisper to one's companion
what is coming next. The stage, with all its adjustments, had been
carefully arranged, the foot-lights were lighted, the piece began. All
went well till nearly the end of the first act, when there was a cry
behind the scenes of "Mr. Denis!" Mr. Denis should have rushed on, but
Mr. Denis did not rush on. The play stopped. Mr. Denis was not in the
library, the improvised greenroom; Mr. Denis did not appear when his
name was called in stentorian tones by Ralph, or in pathetic falsetto by
Charles. In short, Mr. Denis was not forthcoming. A rush up-stairs on
the part of most of the young men brought to light the awful fact that
Mr. Denis had retired to his chamber, a prey to sudden and acute
indisposition.

"Dear me!" said Charles to Lady Mary, with a dismal shake of his head,
"how precarious is life! Here to-day, and in bed to-morrow. Support your
aunt Mary, my dear Evelyn; she wishes to retire to rest. Indeed, we may
as well all go to bed, for there will be no more acting to-night without
poor Denis. I only trust he may be spared to us till to-morrow, and that
he may be well enough to die by my hand to-morrow evening."

We all dispersed for the night in some anxiety. The play could not
proceed without Mr. Denis, who took an important part; and Sir George
ruefully informed me that all the neighboring houses had been filled for
these theatricals, and that great numbers of people were expected. There
was to be dancing afterwards, but the principal feature of the
entertainment was the play. We all retired to rest, fervently hoping
that the health of Mr. Denis might be restored by the following
morning.

CH