Belles and Ringers

s father, and as they grew up proved even more useful. Should the house be full and the weather prove wet, what games of battledore and shuttlecock, "bean-bags," &c., were played in it in

in when required, but would have been considered in the way as a permanency, the stage being used at times as an orchestra, at others as a tea-room. It was raised not quite a foot above the floor, and could therefore be easily stepped on to; in fact, upon the few occasions that the Theatre Royal Todborough opened, the entertainment had been confined in

ready for you. We have installed you in comman

pted Blanche, laughing; "but it

he had strayed into the marria

s representation are requested to withdraw," retorte

ht on his side; the audience have cer

unger Miss Chipchase, C

the door. At the thresho

who exc

another gentleman. If Mr. Cottre

ith some little surprise; "you said nothing about

rtain it was that as Pansey Cottrell heard that commonplace little speech, he muttered

till in whatever attitude I am placed, and that, I fancy, is all Sylla require

ht want me to stand upon one leg. She will put some of you in mos

in three tableaux. Now, I propose that we arrange these tableaux-six in all-and then, if we run through them a second time, just to be sure we have not forgotten our places

s. Sartoris, laughing. "I ought, at all events, to be best in tha

t music all the way through these charades; and we want somebody

hipchase, "we have settled

e Ladies and I do the Chambermaids. Now, gentlemen, you must select your own lines. Wh

heatrical proclivities, shocking to relate, are murderous in the extreme. He is

exclaimed Sylla. "Capta

and Lionel can do t

roupe worked with a will, and in something under two hours they pronounced themselves perfect, and pr

as been used before at different times, and of course we have a certain amount of properties. What shall you want, Miss Sylla

properties a brace of pistols, a pair of handcuffs, a jewel-box with plenty of bracelets, rings, &c.-we ladies can easily find those amongst us. In the second, nothing but a lett

that I have my doubts. However, Beauchamp must manage the best he can with his own hair if I

young lady, laughing. "I am very curious to see if an

ved Miss Chipchase; "as soon as you have given

ng would end unpleasantly for her. She felt certain that Sylla would contrive to pose as its heroine; and that the niece of the woman she most detested in the world should have the opportunity of for once assuming such a position in the house of which she, Lady Mary, was mistress, was exasperating. Pansey Cottrell, too, had contributed not a little to her irritation by dwelling somewhat persistently at dinner on Miss Sylla's dramatic talent. He had done this, dear pleasant creature! simply for his own diversion. He was acting as prompter to a little comedy of real life; and it is ideas, not words, that the prompters on such occasions instil into our minds. As a rule, Pansey Cottrell would have judiciously shirked such

Brummel

ever did tell the Prince to ring the bell is unlikely; but societ

ips. But the wild ghostly music still falls, without ceasing, from the piano. Slowly the curtain continues to rise, and discovers two men confronting each other after the approved custom of duelling. On the proper stage right stands Mr. Sartoris, with brows bent and sullen scowl upon his lip; the nerveless hand by his side grasps the still-smoking pistol. Opposite, and as far from him as the s

ss Evesham; "what are

ire: "he has missed-missed, don't you see?

r. Bloxam, that is it. It's not missed, but a miss.

the act of getting in a practicable window at the back of the stage. A dark lantern is in his hand, and his feet are artistically enshrined in india-rubbers. Stealthily, with many melodramatic starts and gestures, and anxious glances at the sleeping girl, he makes his way to the toilette-table, fills his pockets with the glittering gewgaws, then turns to depart, with his plunder, silently as he had come. As he passes the sleeping soubrette, she moves uneasily in her chair. With a ferocious gesture the robber draws from his breast an ominous-looking knife, pauses for a moment, and then, reassured by her tranquillity, makes his

rd was either "mistake" or "mistaken" they entertained little doubt. Curiosity now centred on what version they would giv

, with averted head, stands Mrs. Sartoris, indicating sorrow for the offender, but entire belief in her guilt. On the opposite side, Jim Bloxam, attired in evening costume, is unmistakably directing the officer to remove his prisoner. Slowl

That really was most successful," sa

l, suavely. "Jim, as we all know, though one of the best of fellows, is the most

as good as the generali

with no lit

ks as swans than any of her sex. Mr. Cottrell was much too quick-witted not to see that his crit

that there is rather exceptional talent in the troupe, one is apt to regard that as the guiding spirit. Syll

he rest of them. You all seem to think that she is wonderfully c

od deal more about him

ll dem

you heard about her?" inquire

e equally well aware that he could act

er bosom, and then looks up at him with all the devilry of coquetry in her eyes. She toys with the corner of her apron, twiddling it backwards and forwards between her fingers. She glances demurely down at her feet, then looks shyly up at h

's place I think I would have been thoroughl

acious minxes! Mr. Beauchamp deserves great credit for his disc

considerably about the scene, some of the ladies contending that there was no necessity for carrying dramatic re

d scene calculated to throw much enlightenment on the subject. In it Lionel Beauchamp, in his groom's dress, appears to be pantomimically explaining something to the remainder of the company, who are artistically grouped in the centre of the stage, and which shrugs of the shoulders, upraised eyebrows, and other gestures, indicate they either fail to understand, or, it may be, to agree with. But the whole word, like more ambitious dramatic representation

her confidence. She has, I presume, strong opinions on the subject of c

seconds, and then the stage-manager responds by leading Sylla forward in her soubrette dress. Dropping the sauci

sult we have aimed at; and now that I have told you the word, I am sure you will admit our efforts have been

s it? What was the word? were questions resp

e found it unintelligible, and that is precis

Squire indulged

y clear the play-room for dancing. The curtain is pulled up, the stage occupied by a select section of

near her in one of the pauses of the valse, "I have not had an opportunity of congratulating

n the exigencies of the stage require one to be embraced, one must admit of that ceremony. Surely if

ady Mary. "I hear you are going to stay with Mrs.

nt of mine; you kn

her as I once did. The London world has got so very big, you s

lculate at one time upon seeing a good deal of one's friends during the season; now half of them we on

s," rejoined Lady Mar

l's amu

speech showed him she intended to keep Mrs. Wriothesley at arms' length, if possible, for the future; and Pansey Cottrell smiled as

lied Sylla courteously. "You know my aunt, Captain Bloxam," she continued, as she moved away. "I s