"If you are really going to put up for the night at B----, suppose we sup together ?" "And who and what are you ?" asked Percy, bluntly.
"Anything and everything! in other words, an actor!" "And the young lady---- ?' "Is our prima donna.

In fact, except the driver, the coach holds none but the ladies and gentlemen of our company.

We have made an excellent harvest at A----, and we are now on our way to the theatre at B----; pretty theatre it is, too, and has been known to hold seventy-one pounds eight shillings." Here the actor fell into a reverie; and Percy, moving nearer to the coach-door, glanced at the damsel, who returned the look with a laugh which, though coquettish, was too low and musical to be called cold.
"So that gentleman, so free and easy in his manners, is not your husband ?" "Heaven forbid! Do you think I should be so gay if he were?
But, pooh! what can you know of married life?
No!" she continued, with a pretty air of mock dignity; "I am the Belvidera, the Calista, of the company; above all control, all husbanding, and reaping thirty-three shillings a week." "But are you above lovers as well as husbands ?" asked Percy with a rakish air, borrowed from Saville.
"Bless the boy! No: but then my lovers must be at least as tall, and at least as rich, and, I am afraid, at least as old, as myself." "Don't frighten yourself, my dear," returned Percy; "I was not about to make love to you." "Were you not?
Yes, you were, and you know it.

But why will you not sup with us ?" "Why not, indeed ?" thought Percy, as the idea, thus more enticingly put than it was at first, pressed upon him.

"If _you_ ask me," he said, "I will." "I _do_ ask you, then," said the actress; and here the hero of the company turned abruptly round with a theatrical start, and exclaimed, "To sup or not to sup?
that is the question." "To sup, sir," said Godolphin.
"Very well! I am glad to hear it.