"Aye, aye. Well, she can sing, eh? What d'ye think?"
"Admirable, sir, admirable. She has been gifted both by nature and art."
"And those gifts should put money in her pocket and yours too, Mr. Palmer. I hope you'll reward her on a liberal scale."
"Why, certainly, sir. I shall be happy to oblige you."
"Oh, obliging me has nothing to do with the matter. But we will talk of that later on. Pray pardon me."
With a slight bow Gay turned away and walked to where Lavinia was standing, her cheeks glowing and her eyes glistening with pleasure at the sight of the genial poet who had done so much to encourage her.
"Why, Polly," said Gay, extending his hand, "how came you here? I left you making your way on the stage, and now I find you a songstress. Faith, my dear, are you thinking of going back to your early days when you did nothing but sing songs?" he added laughingly.
"Not quite that, sir, but I always did love singing, as you know. And so do you, sir, or you would never have persuaded the good duchess to spend so much money on me."
"Oh, maybe I was thinking of myself all the while," rejoined Gay. "I admit I saw in you the very young woman I'd had in my mind for a long time, for Polly Peachum in my opera. Did I not call thee Polly from the very first?"
"Yes, indeed, sir. I've never forgotten it. I hope you'll always call me Polly."