Mr.Waife noted the gesture with his one eye, and proceeded cautiously, feeling his way, as it were, towards the interior of the recess thus protected.

"My grandchild declined your flattering proposal with my full approbation.

She did not consider--neither did I--that the managerial rights of Mr.Rugge entitled him to the moiety of her face--off the stage." The Comedian paused, and with a voice, the mimic drollery of which no hoarseness could altogether mar, chanted the old line,-- "'My face is my fortune, sir,' she said." Vance smiled; Lionel laughed; Sophy nestled still nearer to the boy.
GENTLEMAN WAIFE (with pathos and dignity).--"You see before you an old man: one way of life is the same to me as another.

But she,--do you think Mr.Rugge's stage the right place for her ?" VANCE.--"Certainly not.

Why did you not introduce her to the London Manager who would have engaged yourself ?" Waife could not conceal a slight change of countenance.