The Duchess might be as wayward as she pleased, but it did not
follow that she would excuse waywardness in another woman.
Gay turned to Pepusch and the two conversed for some little time, the
upshot of the talk being that Pepusch promised, when the proper time
came, to say to John Rich all he could in favour of Lavinia, always
supposing she had acquired sufficient stage experience.
This settled, the poet drew near Lavinia who all this time was waiting
and wondering what this new adventure of hers would end in.
"Now Polly, my dear," said Gay, "if you behave yourself and don't have
any more love affairs----"
"But did I not tell you, sir, I'd had none," interrupted Lavinia.
"Yes--yes, I remember quite well. We won't go into the subject again or
we shall never finish. The varieties and nice distinctions of love are
endless. A much more pressing question is nearer to hand--where are you
going to live?"
"Hannah, my mother's servant--a dear good kind creature--it was through
her I was able to come here--will find me a lodging. I can trust her
but--but----"
She stopped and much embarrassed, twisted her fingers nervously.
"I understand. You've but little money."
"I have none, sir, unfortunately."
"Well--well--never mind. Here's a guinea."
"Oh, you're too generous, sir. But I shall pay you back."
"Don't worry about that. Now go into the house. I will ask Mr.
Pages:
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157