Still the prevalent character of the man's mood and talk was social, quaint, cheerful.
Evidently he was by original temperament a droll and joyous humourist, with high animal spirits; and, withal, an infantine simplicity at times, like the clever man who never learns the world and is always taken in.
A circumstance, trifling in itself, but suggestive of speculation either as to the character or antecedent circumstances of Gentleman Waife, did not escape Vance's observation.

Since his rupture with Mr.Rugge, there was a considerable amelioration in that affection of the trachea, which, while his engagement with Rugge lasted, had rendered the Comedian's dramatic talents unavailable on the stage.

He now expressed himself without the pathetic hoarseness or cavernous wheeze which had previously thrown a wet blanket over his efforts at discourse.

But Vance put no very stern construction on the dissimulation which his change seemed to denote.

Since Waife was still one-eyed and a cripple, he might very excusably shrink from reappearance on the stage, and affect a third infirmity to save his pride from the exhibition of the two infirmities that were genuine.
That which most puzzled Vance was that which had most puzzled the Cobbler,--What could the man once have been?
how fallen so low ?--for fall it was, that was clear.