assment has resulted, so
that we should gladly accept the engagement you offer, provided it is
not inconsistent with the demands of art."

"Oh, cut it short, Tyb," again interrupted the ingenuous Spotts.

Mr. Smith cast a crushing glance at the youth, and, laying one hand
across his ample chest, prepared to launch a withering denunciation at
him, when Cecil came to the rescue.

"I was about to suggest," he said, "that if you've not yet breakfasted
you would all do so with me, and we can then discuss this matter at
length."

Mr. Smith's denunciation died upon his lips, and a smile of ineffable
contentment lighted up his face.

"Sir," he said, "we are obliged--vastly obliged. I speak collectively."
And he waved one flabby hand towards his companions. "I have not,
however, the honour of knowing your name."

Cecil handed him his card.

"Ah, thanks. Mr. Banborough. Exactly. Permit me to introduce myself: H.
Tybalt Smith, Esq., tragedian of the A. B. C. Company. My companions are
Mr. Kerrington, the heavy villain; Mr. Mill, the leading serious. Our
juvenile, Mr. G. Alvarado Spotts, has already sufficiently introduced
himself. The ladies are Mrs. Mackintosh, our senior legitimate,"
indicating the elder of the two, who smilingly acknowledged the
introduction in such a good-natured, hearty manner that for the moment
her plain, almost rugged New England countenance was lighted up and she
became nearly handsome. "And," continued Mr. Smith, "our leading lady,
the Leopard-- I mean Miss Violet Arminster," pointing to the bewitching
young person in the tailor-made gown.

Each of the members bowed as his or her name was spoken, and the
tragedian continued:

"Ladies and gentlemen of the A. B. C. Company, I have much pleasure in
introducing to you--my friend--Mr. Cecil Banborough, who has kindly
invited you to breakfast at--the Murray Hill? Shall we say the Murray
Hill? Yes."

The ensuing hour having been given up to the serious pursuit of
satisfying healthy appetites, the members of the A. B. C. Company heaved
sighs of pleasurable repletion, and prepared to listen to their host's
proposition in a highly optimistic mood. Banborough, who had already
sufficiently breakfasted, employed the interval of the meal in talking
to Miss Arminster and in studying his guests. Mrs. Mackintosh, who
seemed to take a motherly interest in the charming Violet, and whose
honest frankness had appealed to him from the first, appeared to be the
g