mised the Duke of Bolton that you should sup with us to-night."
"I would not come," replied the actress, "if it were only to teach you not to make promises for me; but I cannot waste any more time talking to you!"
"His grace will go frantic with disappointment!" continued the manager; "that last ballad of yours completely turned his head! Indeed, if you would but play your cards properly, there is no saying what might happen!"
"Well," cried she, "since you have so brilliant an idea of my future prospects, perhaps you will, on the strength of them, advance me another week's salary!"
"Indeed I will not!" replied her companion; "you are already more in advance than I ever before allowed any of my company to be; and, as to your prospects, why you are throwing them away!"
"Well, well, it does not matter, and I won't keep you from supper. You may tell the duke, that we value things in proportion to
