"Nothing of the sort, I assure you," said Bates, with a pitying smile--the smile of the professor for the amateur. "The greatest of actors--nay, even I myself, madam, fail to carry an audience along with me so as to make my hearers lose sight of the sham. What child would be imposed on by the sufferings of the stage hero or heroine? What school miss would fail to detect the ring of falsehood in the romance of what authors call their plots?"
"You fancy that everyone should be capable of detecting the difference between a woman's account of her real woes and an actress's simulation of such woes?"
"That is my contention, madam. The truth has a ring about it that cannot be simulated by even the best actress."
"Dear, dear!" cried Kitty, lifting up her hands. "What a wonder it is that any persons can be prevailed upon to go evening after evening to the playhouses! Why, I myself go--yes, frequently. Indeed--perhaps I should blush to confess it--I am a constant attender at Drury Lane. I do not believe I should be able to live without going to the playhouse!"
"Tell the truth, madam," cried Mr. Bates, stretching out an eloquent forefinger at her as she sat on the settle looking at her hands on her lap, "have you ever sat out an entire play?"
Kitty looked up and laughed loud and long, so that Mr. Bates felt greatly flattered. He began to believe that he had just said a very clever thing.
"Well, there I allow that you have me," said Kitty. "Sir, I admit that as a rule I do not remain seated during even an entire act of a play."
"Ah," cried Mr. Bates triumphantly, "I knew that you were a sensible woman, asking your pardon again for my presumption. Your confession bears out my contention; and let me tell you that, on the stage, matters, so far from improving, are steadily degenerating. I hear that that young man Garrick is now more in vogue than that fine old actor, Mr. Quin. Think of it, madam! A wine merchant they say this Garrick was. Have you ever seen him?"
"Oh, yes," said Kitty; "I have seen him."
"Mr. Garrick is like no one, and no one is like Mr. Garrick," said Kitty warmly.
"Ah!" Mr. Bates' lips were curled with a sneer that caused Kitty's feet to tap the floor nervously. "Ah! A little fellow, I understand--not up to my shoulder."
