dal_, which he had advertised to produce
on the Saturday night next. He explained that the artist whom he had
engaged for the part had been missing for two days, and, from what he had
gathered, even if he presented himself at the theatre, it was more than
doubtful if he would be in a fit condition to appear before the public.

The proposition was a difficult one. To study the part in two days,
appearing in it on the evening of the second day, without an opportunity
of rehearsal, would be a bold venture for one who was setting forth to
earn fame and a high reputation as an actor. I thought for a moment or
two. I remembered that I had seen _The_ _School for Scandal_ played once
or twice in my life. My recollections of the part of Careless were that
he was a somewhat light-hearted, jovial, easy-going person, whose life
was a pleasure to him, and who did not take too serious a view of the
things in this world. Well, was I not, at that moment, in a position when
I might with advantage take on the mantle of Careless's temperament and
chance the result? Yes; I consented. Wybert was evidently relieved. He
told me afterwards, in confidence, that he so admired what he considered
my consummate self-confidence that he decided to give me the opportunity,
subject to an informal rehearsal to be held on the next day, Friday, in
the afternoon. I then inquired whether Careless's costume would be ready
for me. A serious look came over his face.

"By Jove!" he said, "the Careless that's missing is only about five foot
nine. It's quite impossible to put your six feet two inches into his
clothes. What's to be done? Can you get them made in time?"

I relieved his mind by telling him that, as good fortune would have it, I
had been at a fancy dress ball at a friend's house in Toorak just ten
days before, and that a friend of mine, who was private secretary to one
of the then Governors of Australia, and who was about my height and
build, had appeared at the ball as Careless, and his costume was a
particularly handsome one. I had no doubt if I asked him he would lend it
to me. Once more the smile came across his face. He looked at me for a
bit and then remarked:

"I'm beginning to think honestly that you're pulling my leg all the time.
Say so, if you are; otherwise I shall postpone the production of _The
School for Scandal_ and continue _The Woman in White_ for another week."

I felt sorry for a moment that he had considered me to have been so