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Reade, Charles, 1814-1884

"A Woman-Hater"

Are they 'the pilgrims of the Rhine' or 'the pilgrims of
Love?' Time will show. Play to recommence with a verbal encounter; you
will be one against three; for all that, I don't envy the greater
number."
"Three to one? No. Surely you will be on the right side for once.
"Well, you see, I am the audience. We can't be all _dramatis personae,_
and no spectator. During the wait, I wonder whether the audience, having
nothing better to do, may be permitted to smoke a cigar."
"So long a lucid interval is irksome, of course. Well, the balcony is
your smoking-room. You will see them coming; please tap at my door the
moment you do."
Half an hour elapsed, an hour, and the personages required to continue
the comedy did not return.
Vizard, having nothing better to do, fell to thinking of Ina Klosking,
and that was not good for him. Solitude and _ennui_ fed his mania, and at
last it took the form of action. He rang, and ordered up his man Harris,
a close, discreet personage, and directed him to go over to Homburg, and
bring back all the information he could about the new singer; her address
in Homburg, married or single, prude or coquette.


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