"That Sir Charles Pomander--" interrupted Triplet.
"But Mr. Triplet is going to explain," said Sir Charles, keenly.
"Nay, sir; be yours the pleasing duty. But, now I think of it," resumed
Triplet, "why not tell the simple truth? it is not a play! She I brought
you here to see was not Sir Charles Pomander; but--"
"I forbid you to complete the name!" cried Pomander.
"I command you to complete the name!" cried Vane.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen! how can I do both?" remonstrated Triplet.
"Enough, sir!" cried Pomander. "It is a lady's secret. I am the guardian
of that lady's honor."
"She has chosen a strange guardian of her honor!" said Vane bitterly.
Gentlemen!" cried poor Triplet, who did not at all like the turn things
were taking, "I give you my word, she does not even know of Sir Charies's
presence here!"
"Who?" cried Vane, furiously. "Man alive! who are you speaking of?"
"Mrs. Vane
"My wife!" cried Vane, trembling with anger and jealousy. "She here! and
with this man?"
"No!" cried Triplet. "With me, with me! Not with him, of course."
"Boaster!" cried Vane, contemptuously. "But that is a part of your
profession!"
Pomander, irritated, scornfully drew from his pocket the ladies' joint
production, which had fallen at his feet from Mrs. Woffington's hand. He
presented this to Mr. Vane, who took it very uneasily; a mist swam before
his eyes as he read the words: "Alone and unprotected--Mabel Vane.
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