Woffington, "why this surprise! Are you so
ignorant of the stage and the world as not to know that I refuse such
offers as yours every week of my life?"
"I know better," was the cool reply. She left it unnoticed.
"I have so many of these," continued she, "that I have begun to forget
they are insults."
At this word the button broke off Sir Charles's foil.
"Insults, madam! They are the highest compliments you have left it in our
power to pay you."
The other took the button off her foil.
"Indeed!" cried she, with well-feigned surprise. "Oh! I understand. To be
your mistress could be but a temporary disgrace; to be your wife would be
a lasting discredit," she continued. "And now, sir, having played your
rival's game, and showed me your whole hand" (a light broke in upon our
diplomat), "do something to recover the reputation of a man of the world.
A gentleman is somewhere about in whom you have interested me by your
lame satire; pray tell him I am in the green-room, with no better
companion than this bad poet."
Sir Charles clinched his teeth.
"I accept the delicate commission," replied he, "that you may see how
easily the man of the world drops what the rustic is eager to pick up."
"That is better," said the actress, with a provoking appearance of
good-humor. "You have a woman's tongue, if not her wit; but, my good
soul," added she, with cool _hauteur,_ "remember you have something to do
of more importance than anything you can say.
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