as
their favourite they were applauding. He had the art of acting at his
fingers' ends.

"Child," said he when Lavinia had finished, "Mr. Gay and Dr. Pepusch did
not mistake. You've but to observe and work and some day you'll be the
talk of the town."

"Do you really mean that, Mr. Spiller?"

The girl's voice was tremulous with delight. Spiller's praise was of
greater value than Gay's. He was an actor and knew.

"I shouldn't say so if I didn't. I mustn't lose sight of you. A pity
you'll be staying at Hampstead. I'd like to take you to Mr. Rich. You
ought to be near at hand."

"But I don't want to go to Hampstead. I hate the very notion," cried
Lavinia breathlessly. "If I could only find a lodging in town!"

"That might be managed. There are lodgings to be had in the house in
Little Queen Street where Mrs. Egleton lives. But have you any money?"

"Enough to keep me for a week. Maybe Mr. Rich would find something for
me to do. I can dance as well as sing."

"I'll warrant you, but John Rich does all the dancing himself, and as
for singing--he doesn't think much of it. But we'll see. Wouldn't your
friend the duchess help you?"

"I don't know. I'm afraid I'm out of her grace's favour," said Lavinia
dolefully. "Besides, she might want to send me back to Queen Square.
Lud, I couldn't bear that. Miss Pinwell wouldn't have me, though," she
added in a tone of relief.

"I'll wager she wouldn't," said Spiller dryly. "She'd be in mortal fear
of the whole of her young ladies following your example and running away
with the town sparks. Well, we'll see what can be done for you, Polly,
though I fear me I'm going to have a sad pickle on my hands."

"Oh, pray don't say that, Mr. Spiller. What's happened was not my
doing."

"Of course not. But let us to Little Queen Street. If Mrs. Egleton is in
the mood she may be of use to you. But take care not to ruffle her
plumes. You've heard of her I doubt not?"

"Oh, yes. I saw her once at Drury Lane. She sings does she not, sir?"

"Aye, so mind and not outsing her."

They walked along the western side of the Fields to Little Queen Street,
where the houses were substantial enough, though not nearly so imposing
as those in Great Queen Street where many noblemen and rich people
lived.

Spiller was well known to the proprietor of the house, where Mrs.
Egleton lodged and was received with effusion. Mrs. Egleton was not up,
as indeed Spiller expected, nor would she be until past mi