Who is she, madam ?" continued Triplet, lively with curiosity.
"Mrs.Vane," was the quiet, grim answer.
"Mrs.Vane?
His mother?
No--am I mad?
His sister! Oh, I see, his--" "His wife!" "His wife! Why, then, Mr.Vane's married ?" "Yes." "Oh, look there!--Oh, look here now! Well, but, good Heavens! she wasn't to know you were there, perhaps ?" "No." "But then I let the cat out of the bag ?" "Yes." "But, good gracious! there will be some serious mischief!" "No doubt of it." "And it is all my fault ?" "Yes." "I've played the deuce with their married happiness ?" "Probably." "And ten to one if you are not incensed against me too ?" Mrs.Woffington replied by looking him in the face, and turning her back upon him.

She walked hastily to the window, threw it open, and looked out of it, leaving poor Triplet to very unpleasant reflections.

She was so angry with him she dared not trust herself to speak.
"Just my luck," thought he.

"I had a patron and a benefactress; I have betrayed them both." Suddenly an idea struck him.

"Madam," said he, timorously, "see what these fine gentlemen are! What business had he, with a wife at home, to come and fall in love with you?
I do it forever in my plays--I am obliged--they would be so dull else; but in _real_ life to do it is abominable." "You forget, sir," replied Mrs.Woffington, without moving, "that I am an actress--a plaything for the impertinence of puppies and the treachery of hypocrites.