I waited upon him in a day or two, when he gave me to understand, that Mr.Vandal having professed himself free of all engagements, he had put my play into his hands, and represented it as a piece strongly recommended by Earl Sheerwit, who (he assured him) would honour him with a message in its favour; and he desired me to call for an answer at Mr.Vandal's house in three days.

I followed his directions, and found the manager, who being made acquainted with my business, owned that Mr.Marmozet had given him a manuscript play, but denied that he had mentioned Earl Sheerwit's name.

When I informed him of the circumstances of the affair, he said, he had no engagement with any author; that he would read my tragedy forthwith; and did not believe he should venture to reject it in contradiction to his lordship's opinion, for which he had the utmost veneration, but put it into rehearsal without loss of time.

I was so much intoxicated with this encouragement, that I overlooked the mysterious conduct of Mr.Marmozet, and attended the manager at the time appointed, when, to my infinite confusion, he pronounced my play improper for the stage, and rejected it accordingly.

As soon as I could recollect myself from the disorder into which this unexpected refusal had thrown me, I expressed a desire of hearing his objections, which were so groundless, indistinct, and unintelligible, that I persuaded myself he had not at all perused the piece, but had been prompted by somebody whose lessons he had not rightly retained.