nment, second only to that which was passing upon the stage. He
was a character as good as any there.

Norman, enchanted with the sensation his charge was making, would put
no check upon him; but the more shrinking Douglas was not so well
pleased. Still, seeing that no offence was given, but rather the
contrary, he possessed his soul in patience, devoutly wishing, however,
that it was time for the close of the performance, which, under these
circumstances, afforded him no pleasure. And as the captain's
excitement grew with each succeeding act, and the encouragement of
those about him, and he grew more and more superior to considerations
of time and place, Douglas would fain have quitted his seat and the
theatre; and was only restrained from doing so, because he thought it
would be mean to leave Norman in the lurch.

At length came the farce "Dundreary Married;" and the captain, who, it
afterwards appeared, had in former years suffered divers things at the
hand of an obnoxious mother-in-law, grew more excited than ever, and
became furiously indignant, not only at the all-assuming lady, but also
at the supine Dundreary, who allowed himself to be thus imposed upon.
He grumbled and muttered, and really seemed as if he would make for the
stage, as he said, "to give the old creetur a piece of his mind." Even
Norman was now uneasy lest he should make more demonstration than was
meet, while Douglas did his best to induce both his companions to come
out; but the captain was immovable, and not to be persuaded. Indeed, he
scarcely seemed to heed Douglas's arguments, so intent was he on the
fortunes of the persecuted husband. His delight when that hero showed
symptoms of some spirit was unbounded; and when at last he roused
himself altogether from the _laisser aller_ which had suffered so long
and patiently, and fairly bade the lady leave his house and his wife to
his own authority and protection, the old man sprang to his feet, and,
waving his hat in the air, exclaimed in a voice which rang in
stentorian tones through the house,--

"Pitch into her, my lad! Give it to her! That's right. Pitch into the
mother-in-law!"

The effect, as may be imagined, was electric. There was a moment's
pause, then a laugh; then, as Norman and Douglas fairly dragged and
hustled the captain into his seat, the inimitable actor bowed and waved
his hand to the old man, who had, as it were, paid such an involuntary
tribute to his powers; and the next m