pinch, was very effective as an old woman. Thirdly, there was our
free-and-easy cavalier, who, having a loud voice and a manly presence,
usually performed the tyrant. He was great in Macbeth, greater in
Bombastes Furioso. Fourthly, came this gentleman's wife, a pretty,
slatternish woman, much painted. She usually performed the second
female--the confidante, the chambermaid--the Emilia to the Desdemona. And
fifthly, was Percy's new inamorata,--a girl of about oneand-twenty, fair,
with a nez retrousse: beautiful auburn hair, that was always a little
dishevelled; the prettiest mouth, teeth, and dimple imaginable; a natural
colour; and a person that promised to incline hereafter towards that
roundness of proportion which is more dear to the sensual than the
romantic. This girl, whose name was Fanny Millinger, was of so frank,
good-humoured, and lively a turn, that she was the idol of the whole
company, and her superiority in acting was never made a matter of
jealousy. Actors may believe this, or not, as they please.

"But is this all your company?" said Percy.

"All? no!" replied Fanny, taking off her bonnet, and curling up her
tresses by the help of a dim glass. "The rest are provided at the theatre
along with the candle-snuffer and scene-shifters part of the fixed
property. Why won't _you_ take to the stage? I wish you would! you would
make a very respectable--page."

"Upon my word!" said Percy, exceedingly offended.

"Come, come!" cried the actress, clapping her hands, and perfectly
unheeding his displeasure--"why don't you help me off with my cloak?--why
don't you set me a chair?--why don't you take this great box out of my
way?--why don't you----Heaven help me!" and she stamped her little foot