His absurd beauty of face and figure, a far greater recommendation in the eyes of the manager who had begun rehearsals for an elaborate romantic production than a knowledge of The Faerie Queene, obtained for him an immediate engagement--to walk on as a gilded youth of Italy in two or three scenes at a salary of thirty shillings a week.

Paul went home and spread himself like a young peacock before Jane, and said: "I am an actor." The girl's eyes glowed.

"You are wonderful." "No, not I," replied Paul modestly.

"It is my star." "Have you got a big part ?" asked Jane.
He laughed pityingly, sweeping back his black curls.

"No, you silly, I haven't any lines to speak"-- he had at once caught up the phrase--"I must begin at the beginning.