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ROMANCE AND REALITY.
139


"I see but one difficulty—who is to take the bull by the horns?"

"Oh, somebody would be found to run 'the glorious risk.' I despair of nothing now-a-days."

"In such a mood men credit miracles," said Mrs. Sullivan.

"I," replied the traveller, "am just come from witnessing one. Do you remember how your friend S——'s words were like the friar's steps in Romeo and Juliet? He says:

'How oft to-night
Have my old feet stumbled;'

and if he did get out six words, seven were unintelligible. He now speaks as fluently and as unaffectedly as myself. I cannot say more."

"What do you mean?"

"Simply that S——, in utter despair at being thus disabled from enlightening his audience, betook himself to Mr. Jones, who has undeniably demonstrated that he possesses the gift of tongues."

"I should like to see S——: he will be so gloriously theatrical."

"You will be disappointed in this charitable expectation. Jones has vanquished all his