Бульвер-Литтон Эдвард Джордж - Godolphin, Complete стр 6.

In the first place, there was an old gentleman, of the age of sixty-three, in a bob-wig, and inclined to be stout, who always played the lover. He was equally excellent in the pensive Romeo and the bustling Rapid. He had an ill way of talking off the stage, partly because he had lost all his front teeth: a circumstance which made him avoid, in general, those parts in which he had to force a great deal of laughter. Next, there was a little girl, of about fourteen, who played angels, fairies, and, at a pinch, was very effective as an old woman. Thirdly, there was our free-and-easy cavalier, who, having a loud voice and a manly presence, usually performed the tyrant. He was great in Macbeth, greater in Bombastes Furioso. Fourthly, came this gentlemans wife, a pretty, slatternish woman, much painted. She usually performed the second femalethe confidante, the chambermaidthe Emilia to the Desdemona. And fifthly, was Percys new inamorata,a girl of about one-and-twenty, fair, with a nez retrousse: beautiful auburn hair, that was always a little dishevelled; the prettiest mouth, teeth, and dimple imaginable; a natural colour; and a person that promised to incline hereafter towards that roundness of proportion which is more dear to the sensual than the romantic. This girl, whose name was Fanny Millinger, was of so frank, good-humoured, and lively a turn, that she was the idol of the whole company, and her superiority in acting was never made a matter of jealousy. Actors may believe this, or not, as they please.

But is this all your company? said Percy.

All? no! replied Fanny, taking off her bonnet, and curling up her tresses by the help of a dim glass. The rest are provided at the theatre along with the candle-snuffer and scene-shifters part of the fixed property. Why wont you take to the stage? I wish you would! you would make a very respectablepage.

Upon my word! said Percy, exceedingly offended.

Come, come! cried the actress, clapping her hands, and perfectly unheeding his displeasurewhy dont you help me off with my cloak?why dont you set me a chair?why dont you take this great box out of my way?why dont youHeaven help me! and she stamped her little foot quite seriously on the floor. A pretty person for a lover you are!

Oho! then I am a lover, you acknowledge?

Nonsense!get a chair next me at supper.

The young Godolphin was perfectly fascinated by the lively actress; and it was with no small interest that he stationed himself the following night in the stage-box of the little theatre at , to see how his Fanny acted. The house was tolerably well filled, and the play was She Stoops to Conquer. The male parts were, on the whole, respectably managed; though Percy was somewhat surprised to observe that a man, who had joined the corps that morning, blessed with the most solemn countenance in the worlda fine Roman nose, and a forehead like a sageswas now dressed in nankeen tights, and a coat without skirts, splitting the sides of the gallery in the part of Tony Lumpkin. But into the heroine, Fanny Millinger threw a grace, a sweetness, a simple, yet dignified spirit of trite love that at once charmed and astonished all present. The applause was unbounded; and Percy Godolphin felt proud of himself for having admired one whom every one else seemed also resolved upon admiring.

When the comedy was finished, he went behind the scenes, and for the first time felt the rank which intellect bestows. This idle girl, with whom he had before been so familiar; who had seemed to him, boy as he was, only made for jesting and coquetry, and trifling, he now felt to be raised to a sudden eminence that startled and abashed him. He became shy and awkward, and stood at a distance stealing a glance towards her, but without the courage to approach and compliment her.

The quick eye of the actress detected the effect she had produced. She was naturally pleased at it, and coming up to Godolphin, she touched his shoulder, and with a smile rendered still more brilliant by the rouge yet unwashed from the dimpled cheeks, saidWell, most awkward swain? no flattery ready for me? Go to! you wont suit me: get yourself another empress.

You have pleased me into respecting you, said Godolphin.

There was a delicacy in the expression that was very characteristic of the real mind of the speaker, though that mind was not yet developed; and the pretty actress was touched by it at the moment, though, despite the grace of her acting, she was by nature far too volatile to think it at all advantageous to be respected in the long run. She did not act in the afterpiece, and Godolphin escorted her home to the inn.

So long as his ten guineas lastedwhich the reader will conceive was not very longGodolphin stayed with the gay troop, as the welcome lover of its chief ornament. To her he confided his name and history: she laughed heartily at the latterfor she was one of Venuss true children, fond of striking mirth out of all subjects. But what, said she, patting his cheek affectionately, what should hinder you from joining us for a little while? I could teach you to be an actor in three lessons. Come now, attend! It is but a mere series of tricks, this art that seems to you so admirable.

Godolphin grew embarrassed. There was in him a sort of hidden pride that could never endure to subject itself to the censure of others. He had no propensity to imitation, and he had a strong susceptibility to the ridiculous. These traits of mind thus early developedwhich in later life prevented his ever finding fit scope for his natural powers, which made him too proud to bustle, and too philosophical to shinewere of service to him on this occasion, and preserved him from the danger into which he might otherwise have fallen. He could not be persuaded to act: the fair Fanny gave up the attempt in despair. Yet stay with us, said she, tenderly, and share my poor earnings.

Godolphin started; and in the wonderful contradictions of the proud human heart, this generous offer from the poor actress gave him a distaste, a displeasure, that almost reconciled him to parting from her. It seemed to open to him at once the equivocal mode of life he had entered upon. No, Fanny, said he, after a pause, I am here because I resolved to be independent: I cannot, therefore, choose dependence.

Miss Millinger is wanted instantly for rehearsal, said the little girl who acted fairies and old women, putting her head suddenly into the room.

Bless me! cried Fanny, starting up; is it so late? Well, I must go now. Good-bye! look in upon usdo!

But Godolphin, moody and thoughtful, walked into the street; and lo! the first thing that greeted his eyes was a handbill on the wall, describing his own person, and offering twenty guineas reward for his detention. Let him return to his afflicted parent, was the conclusion of the bill, and all shall be forgiven.

Godolphin crept back to his apartment; wrote a long, affectionate letter to Fanny; inclosed her his watch, as the only keepsake in his power; gave her his address at Savilles; and then, towards dusk, once more sallied forth, and took a place in the mail for London. He had no money for his passage, but his appearance was such that the coachman readily trusted him; and the next morning at daybreak he was under Savilles roof.

CHAPTER VI

And so, said Saville, laughing, you really gave them the slip: excellent! But I envy you your adventures with the player folk. Gad! if I were some years younger, I would join them myself; I should act Sir Pertinax Macsycophant famously; I have a touch of the mime in me. Well! but what do you propose to do?live with me?eh!