said: "What do you think, Mr. Hackett. Is there going to be a
disturbance?" "I don't know," he replied; "you must ask Mr. Bowyer."

The latter, putting his eye to the crack, took a careful survey of the
audience, and remarked: "There is mischief in the parquette and
amphitheatre, but probably no actual violence will be attempted; the
'boys' will make a noise, and endeavor to prevent the play from
proceeding, but possibly they will do nothing further; they seem to be
patient and good-natured, but Mr. Macready may expect a rough reception."

Macready, who had been dressing, now approached and also took a peep from
behind the curtain. His gaze was long and searching. The scrutiny did not
satisfy him, and he turned away and began to pace backward and forward in
one of the wings, moody and thoughtful. The stamping had ceased while the
orchestra was playing, but it now commenced again, apparently louder than
ever. Lady Macbeth in full dress now came on the stage, pale and agitated.
She also took a peep from behind the curtain. The spectacle frightened
her, and turning to Mr. Hackett, she whispered, rather than exclaimed, "My
God! Mr. Hackett, what is the matter? Are we to be murdered to-night?" "My
dear Madam," he replied, "keep calm, there is no cause for alarm;
everything will go on smoothly;" but his pale face and anxious look belied
his words. It seemed now as if the house would come down under the
continuous, furious stamping. Hackett turned to Bowyer, and asked if the
chief had come. The latter replied he did not know; and another silence
followed in the group behind the curtain, while they stood and listened to
the thundering tramp, tramp, that rose like muffled thunder. At length
Hackett asked: "How many policemen are there in the house?" "I don't
know," replied Bowyer. "But the chief should have known," retorted the
former. "What do you want the police to do, Mr. Niblo?" quietly asked
Bowyer. The latter hesitated a moment, when the attaches of the theatre