Clara Hopgood

At last the eventful night arrived, and a carriage was hired next

door to take the party. They drove up to the grand entrance and were

met by a footman, who directed Madge and Frank to their dressing-

rooms, and escorted Mrs Hopgood and Clara to their places in the

theatre. They had gone early in order to accommodate Frank and

Madge, and they found themselves alone. They were surprised that

there was nobody to welcome them, and a little more surprised when

they found that the places allotted to them were rather in the rear.

Presently two or three fiddlers were seen, who began to tune their

instruments. Then some Fenmarket folk and some of the well-to-do

tenants on the estate made their appearance, and took seats on either

side of Mrs Hopgood and Clara. Quite at the back were the servants.

At five minutes to eight the band struck up the overture to 'Zampa,'

and in the midst of it in sailed Mrs Martin and a score or two of

fashionably-dressed people, male and female. The curtain ascended

and Prospero's cell was seen. Alonso and his companions were

properly grouped, and Prospero began, 'Behold, Sir King,

The wronged Duke of Milan, Prospero.'

The audience applauded him vigorously when he came to the end of his

speech, but there was an instantaneous cry of 'hush!' when Prospero

disclosed the lovers. It was really very pretty. Miranda wore a

loose, simple, white robe, and her wonderful hair was partly twisted

into a knot, and partly strayed down to her waist. The dialogue

between the two was spoken with much dramatic feeling, and when

Ferdinand came to the lines 'Sir, she is mortal,

But by immortal Providence she's mine,' old Boston, a worthy and wealthy farmer, who sat next to Mrs Hopgood,cried out 'hear, hear!' but was instantly suppressed.

He put his head down behind the people in front of him, rubbed his

knees, grinned, and then turned to Mrs Hopgood, whom he knew, and

whispered, with his hand to his mouth, 'And a precious lucky chap he is.'

Mrs Hopgood watched intently, and when Gonzalo invoked the gods to

drop a blessed crown on the couple, and the applause was renewed, and

Boston again cried 'hear, hear!' without fear of check, she did not

applaud, for something told her that behind this stage show a drama

was being played of far more serious importance.

The curtain fell, but there were loud calls for the performers. It

rose, and they presented themselves, Alonso still holding the hands

of the happy pair. The cheering now was vociferous, more

particularly when a wreath was flung at the feet of the young

princess, and Ferdinand, stooping, placed it on her head.