Woffington to-day?"
"James," said Jane steadily, "the manager may disappoint you, we have
often been disappointed; so take the picture with you. They will give you
ten shillings on it."
Triplet was one of those who see things roseate, Mrs. Triplet lurid.
"Madam," said the poet, "for the first time in our conjugal career, your
commands deviate so entirely from reason that I respectfully withdraw
that implicit obedience which has hitherto constituted my principal
reputation. I'm hanged if I do it, Jane!"
"Dear James, to oblige me!"
"That alters the case; you confess it is unreasonable?"
"Oh, yes! it is only to oblige me.
"Enough!" said Triplet, whose tongue was often a flail that fell on
friend, foe and self indiscriminately. "Allow it to be unreasonable, and
I do it as a matter of course--to please you, Jane."
Accordingly the good soul wrapped it in green baize; but to relieve his
mind he was obliged to get behind his wife, and shrug his shoulders to
Lysimachus and the eldest girl, as who should say _voila bien une femme
votre mere a vous!_
At last he was off, in high spirits. He reached Covent Garden at
half-past ten, and there the poor fellow was sucked into our narrative
whirlpool.
We must, however, leave him for a few minutes,
CHAPTER V.
SIR CHARLES POMANDER was detained in the country much longer than he
expected.
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