Darbois, I wonder you can stand by, and allow me to be exposed to such insolence !’ ‘ My good Amanda,’ interposed the mana ger, ‘Chambertin is not altogether in the wrong. Between ourselves, I really think it would be advisable to leave out the couplets. What do you say, Monsieur Guichardot ? ’ continued he, adressing the chef-d’orchestre. ‘What is your opinion of mademoiselle’s singing ?’ ‘ Faux comme un jeton,’ replied that functionary, decisively. ‘ Then, some one else may play the part,’ exclaimed Amanda, ‘ for I’ll not say a word of it. Give it to one of your grues,’ added she, drawing on her gloves with such vio lence as greatly to endanger the buttons; ‘ you’ve plenty of them ! ’ Now, in theatrical parlance, a grue being the very acme of awkwardness and stupidity, no more humiliating epithet can be applied to an actress ; and the indignant looks of the two or three present plainly showed that they fully appreciated the allusion. ‘Am I, then, to understand, mademoi selle,’ said Darbois, in his gentlest tone, ‘ that you positively refuse to play Ernes tine ?’ ‘ Since you wish me to repeat what I have said, monsieur,’ replied Amanda, who had by this time partially recovered herself, * I do positively refuse—and I have the honour of wishing you a good morning !’ ‘ Pack of idiots !’ was her reflection as she descended the stairs ; ‘if it were not for the Count, I’d never set foot on these boards again. However, I’ve put a spoke in Dar bois, wheel, that’s one comfort. Plenty of water will pass under the Pont Neuf before he finds another Ernestine !’ Left to themselves, the actors looked at each other somewhat disconsolately, ‘ Sac-a-papier !’ muttered Chambertin, ‘ I didn’t mean it to go so far as that, Here’s a charming piece, with a glorious part for me, shelved for the next three months! Monsieur Darbois,’ pursued he aloud,’ ‘I presume we are to go back to the old reper toire ?’ ‘On the contrary, my children,’ replied the manager, * to-morrow at twelve a final rehearsal, and on the following evening the first performance of “ Les Hasards de I’Amour.” ’

‘ Bah !’ exclaimed Chambertin, thoroughly puzzled. ‘ And Ernestine ?’ ‘ That’s my affair,’ said M. Darbois. 