The Talk of the Town
James Payn
Paperback
(General Books LLC, Feb. 7, 2012)
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1885 Excerpt: ... 113 CHAPTER XXVI. TWO ACTRESSES. The arrangements made between Mr. Samuel Erin, on behalf of his son William Henry, ' an infant,' with Mr. Albany Wallis, for the production of the play were eminently satisfactory. Mr. Erin was to receive three hundred pounds on the morning after the first night of representation, and half profits for the next sixty nights. Shakespeare himself had probably never made so good a bargain. The news of the acceptance of the 'Vortigern' by the management of Drury Lane Theatre immensely increased the public excitement concerning it. In those days 'Old Drury' (though indeed it was then far from old) was the national theatre; and the fact of a play being played. upon its boards (inde TOL. II. I penclently of Sheridan having chosen it) gave it a certain imprimatur. It was not unreasonable, therefore, in William Henry that he already saw himself half way to fortune, while his success in love might be said to be assured; there are but few of us in truth who, at his age, are in a position so enviable. For, as when we grow old, prosperity, if it does come, comes but too often too late for its enjoyment, so the sunshine of youth is marred by the uncertainty of its duration, and by the clouds that overhang its future. Of the reception of the 'Vortigern' the young fellow had but little doubt; he believed it would run a long and successful course, as most people do believe in the case of the hare of their own finding. And yet the manifestation of his joy was by no means extravagant. The gravity and coolness of his demeanour, which had characterised him throughout the discoveries, did not now desert him. At times, indeed, even when Margaret's arms were about his neck, he looked anxious and distrait; but when she rallied him about it he had alw...