The Press., 1888-03-22

AOUSpKNOkg MWk7VVuctA AVOAo 1OaA OpAy AVA junior.T ni;i IroEF .E1-s tsssFaT ra i Miss Delmaine is tall, slender, pOsee moro or less, while Mrs. Talbot is pret- tily rounded, petite in every point, and neryOusly ambitious of winning the re- gard of the male sex. P f,,s.,.rtr.. .s U. g-sn-
 During the past week private thea tricals have been suggested. Every one is tired of dancing and music. The sea- son had given them more than surfeit of both, and so they have fallen back upon the theatricals. r.z-
 The play on which they have decided is .Goldsmith's famous production, "She Stoops to Conquer"
 Miss Villiers, pretty young girl with yellow hair and charming eyes, is to be Constantia Neville; Miss Delmaine, Kate Hardcastle; Lady Gertrude Vim ing, though rather young for the part, has consented to play Mrs. Hardcastle, under the impression that she looks we'll in a cap and powdered hair. An impossible Tony Lumpkin has been dis covered in nervous young man with 8 hesitation in his speech and difficult ty about the letter "S"-a young man who wonderfully misunderstands To ny, and brings him out in hitherto unknown character; suitable Hast Captain RingWood, gallant young officer, and one of the "curled darlings" of society.
 But who is to play Marlowp Who is to be the happy man, so blessed-even though in these fictitious circumstan- ces-as to be allowed to make love to the reigning beauty of the past season? Nearly every man in the house has thrown out a hint as to his fitness for the part, but as yet no arrangement has been arrived at.
 I.sn nE Sn 414 Ao ward whom all eyes-and some very jealous ones-are directed. But his duties as host compel him, sorely against his will, to draw back little from. the prOffered honor, and to con- suit the wishes of his guests rather than his own. Miss Delmainb herself has laughingly declined to make any choice of 8 stage lover, so that, up to the present moment, matters are still in such a state of confusion and uncer- tainty that they have been unable to name any date for the production of their play. ..
 It is fouT o'clock, and they are all standing or sitting in the library, in- tent as usual in discussing the difficult ty. They are all talking together, and, in the excitement that prevails, no one hears the door open, or the fOOtman'S calm introduction of gentleman, who now comes leisurely up to where Sir Sir Adrian is standing, leaning over Florence Delmaine's chair.
 He is tall man of about thifty-five, with a dark face and dark eyes, and, withal, slight resemblance to Sir Adrian.
 "Ah, Arthur, it is you!" says Sir Ad- rian, in surprised tone that has cer- tainly no cordiality in it, but, just as certainly, the tone is not repellent: Yes" replies the stranger, with languid smile, and without confusion. Yesterday suddenly recollected the general invitation you gave me 3 month ago to come to you at any time that suited me best. This time suits me, and so have come"
 He still smiles as he says this, and looks expectantly at Sir Adrian, who, as in duty bound, instantly tells him he is very glad to see him, and that he is good fellow to have come without waiting for more formal repetition of to old Lady FitzAlmont, the mother of Lady Gertrude Vining, and introduces him to her as my cousin MT. Dyne- court"
 The same ceremony is gone through with some of the others, but, when he brings him to Mrs. Talbot, that pretty widow interrupts his mode of intrOduc- tion.
 "Mr. Dynecourt and I are old friends" she says, giving her hand to the newcomer. Then, turning to her cousin, she adds, Florence, is it not a fatality our meeting him so often?"
 Have we met so often" asks Flor ence quietly, but with touch of hau- teaer and dislike in her tone. Then she too gives a cold little hand to MT. Dyne- court, who fingers over it until she dis 1ny yr1&1 Ivy GrnV of h 1I0i1 he turns from her abruptly and devotes himself to Dora Talbot.
 The widow is glad of his attentions. He is handsome and Well-bred, and for the last half hour she has been feeling slightly bored; so eager has been the discussion about the Marlow matter, that she has been little sought after by the opposite sex. And now, once again, the subject is being examined in all it's bearings, and the discussion waXeS fast and furious.
 "What is it all about?" asks Arthur , Dynecourt presently, glancing at the l. animated group in the middle of the room. And Sir Adrian, hearing his question explains it to him. "Ah, indeedl" he says. And then, after a scarcely perceptible pause "Who is to be Kate Hardcastle? Miss Delmaine," answered Sir Ad-
 
 young lady's chair.
 inQuires Arthur DynecOurt, with appar- ent indifference.
 Well" replies Sir Adrian, laughing; "I believe mere fear holds us back. Miss Delmaine, as we all know, is a finished actress, and we dread spelling her performance by faults on our side. None of us have attempted the charac- ter before; this is why we hesitate"
 "A very sensible hesitation, I think, 1" says his cousin coolly. You should thank me then for coming to your re- i lief this morning; l have played the part several times, and shall be delight ed to undertake it again, and help you out of your difficulty"
 At this Miss Delmaine flushes angri- ly, and opens her lips as if she would flection, restraints herself. She sinks back into her chair with proud Ian guor, and closes her mouth resolutely
 Sir Adrian is confounded. All along he had secretly hoped that, in the end, this part would fall to his lot; but now what is to be done? How can he re- fuse to let his cousin take his place, especially as he has declared himself familiar with the part.
 Arthur, observing his cousins hesita- tion, laughs aloud. His is not pleas ant laugh, but has rather sneering ring in it, and at the present moment it jars upon the ears of the listeners.
 eff have been indiscreet," he says. with 3 slight glance at Florence's proud face, pray pardon me. only meant to render you little assistance. thought understood from you that you were in dilemma. Do not dwell