And she, for her part, bade him but
retain her esteem and no woman ever went further in love than she would.
She was a true epicure. She had learned that passion, vulgar in itself,
is god-like when based upon esteem.
This tender scene was interrupted by the call-boy, who brought Mrs.
Woffington a note from the manager, informing her there would be no
rehearsal. This left her at liberty, and she proceeded to take a somewhat
abrupt leave of Mr. Vane. He was endeavoring to persuade her to let him
be her companion until dinner-time (she was to be his quest), when
Pomander entered the room.
Mrs. Woffington, however, was not to be persuaded, she excused herself on
the score of a duty which she said she had to perform, and whispering as
she passed Pomander, "Keep your own counsel," she went out rather
precipitately.
Vane looked slightly disappointed.
Sir Charles, who had returned to see whether (as he fully expected) she
had told Vane everything--and who, at that moment, perhaps, would not
have been sorry had Mrs. Woffington's lover called him to serious
account--finding it was not her intention to make mischief, and not
choosing to publish his own defeat, dropped quietly into his old line,
and determined to keep the lovers in sight, and play for revenge. He
smiled and said: "My good sir, nobody can hope to monopolize Mrs.
Woffington.
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