m. The "tricky" duet between Polly and Lucy,
"I'm bubbled," broke down constantly, and both declared they would never
sing it properly. But Rich was not to be talked out of his whim to have
no accompaniments.

One morning in the midst of the rehearsal, who should walk on the stage
but the stately Duchess of Queensberry. Lavinia, in quite a flutter,
whispered to Walker the name of the distinguished visitor. John Rich
received her with great deference and conducted her to a seat.

"Go on, please, Mr. Rich, don't let me interrupt your business," said
the great lady affably.

The rehearsal went on and eyes of the company furtively wandered to the
face of the duchess, anxious to know what so powerful a personage and so
keen and outspoken a critic thought of the performance. But the serene
face of her grace never changed.

The rehearsing of one act was over, and there was an interval before
commencing the next one. The duchess turned to Gay.

"How is this, Mr. Gay? Where are the instruments? Don't you have them at
rehearsals?"

"Mr. Rich means to do without a band for the singing. He says it isn't
necessary."

"Rich is a fool," retorted her grace with much emphasis. "He knows
nothing about it. Send him to me."

Gay went about his errand half pleased, for he quite agreed with the
duchess, and half in trepidation. A quarrel between Rich and the lady
autocrat might cause the opera to end in disaster.

Rich dared not offend Queensberry's duchess whose opinion went for so
much among the aristocracy. The stage was practically dependent on its
noble patrons. Without them a "benefit," which every notable member of a
theatrical company looked forward to as making good the insufficiency of
their salaries, would be nothing without the support of the nobility,
who, when in the mood, would readily unloose their purse strings. Rich
therefore made but feeble resistance and the impetuous Kitty had her
way.

The band, small as it was, just half-a-dozen instruments, could not be
called together at a moment's notice. Rich accordingly invited his
visitor to come the following day, when all would be in readiness. He
was as good as his word, and the duchess was graciously pleased to
express her satisfaction. Polly and Lucy went back to their lodgings in
high spirits.

January 29th was fixed for the production of the opera, and the days
sped rapidly. Everybody concerned was on tenterhooks. Who could say how
the audience would take a