sion
who has the length of his foot I'd rather say the breadth of his heart,
for that's where I always get at him. There'll be an explanation and an
apology. You'd better read your part. The house won't mind it. Then put
all you know into that last scene. Chuck the book a minute before the
real business comes on, as if you'd made up your mind to go for the
gloves. That'll fetch 'em. Well go over that bit again and again till
you've got it They'll be just jumping with pleasure in front if you
surprise 'em with a good touch at the finish, and they'll go away
thinking how splendidly you'd have done it if you'd had half a chance.
It's the trot up the avenue, don't you see?

Mr. Warr, who at a gesture had followed Darco from the theatre, appeared
with a basket in his hand, and was followed by a man who bore a larger
basket on his shoulder.

'The governor sends his highly superior compliments, ladies and
gentlemen,' said Mr. Warr, 'and his polite request that you will be
so very kind as to forget the dinner-hour. Sandwiches, ladies and
gentlemen. Ham, beef, tongue, pate de foie gras, potted shrimps,
and cetera. Juice of the grape.' He pointed to the basket, which his
attendant had already laid upon the stage. 'Fizzy, Pommery-Greno, and
no less, upon my sacred word of honour!' He groped in his pockets.
'Champagne-opener, to be carefully returned to bearer. Ah, sir,' he
added feelingly to Paul, 'when I forswore the varnish, I little thought
it would rise to this quality. And, ladies and gentlemen,' he continued
aloud, 'I was to request that you would unite in lending your highly
superior aid to the neophyte.'

'Our compliments to the governor,' said the leading comedian, who had
seized the nippers and was already hard at work. 'We bestow on him
unanimously the order of the golden brick.'

Darco's health was toasted, and the company went to rehearsal again,
each with a champagne-glass in one hand and a sandwich in the other,
and worked banqueting. Paul drank a glass of wine, and the coming night
looked less terrible.

'We've two hours clear,'said Miss Belmont 'Now see if we don't make
something of you in that time.'

Paul began to take up his cue with spirit, as often as not without the
book, and to take his proper places without prompting. They worked their
way on again to the final scene.

'Now, don't be afraid to let go,' said Miss Belmont 'Let us have it as
if the house was full.'

So Paul threw down his part as a