"What! Mrs. Woffington here!" cried he;
then he advanced business-like to Triplet. "We are aware, sir, of your
various talents, and are come to make a demand on them. I, sir, am the
unfortunate possessor of frescoes; time has impaired their indelicacy, no
man can restore it as you can."
"Augh! sir! sir!" said the gratified goose.
"My Cupid's bows are walking-sticks, and my Venus's noses are snubbed.
You must set all that straight on your own terms, Mr. Triplet."
"In a single morning all shall bloom again, sir! Whom would you wish them
to resemble in feature? I have lately been praised for my skill in
portraiture." (Glancing at Mrs. Woffington.)
"Oh!" said Pomander, carelessly, "you need not go far for Venuses and
Cupids, I suppose?"
"I see, sir; my wife and children. Thank you, sir; thank you."
Pomander stared; Mrs. Woffington laughed.
Now it was Vane's turn.
"Let me have a copy of verses from your pen. I shall have five pounds at
your disposal for them."
"The world has found me out!" thought Triplet, blinded by his vanity.--
"The subject, sir?"
"No matter," said Vane--"no matter."
"Oh, of course it does not matter to me," said Triplet, with some
_hauteur,_ and assuming poetic omnipotence. "Only, when one knows the
subject, one can sometimes make the verses apply better."
"Write then, since you are so confident, upon Mrs.
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