“In a single morning all shall bloom again, sir! Whom would you wish them to resemble in feature? I have lately been praised for my skill in portraiture.” (Glancing at Mrs. Woffington.)
“Oh!” said Pomander, carelessly, “you need not go far for Venuses and Cupids, I suppose?”
“I see, sir; my wife and children. Thank you, sir; thank you.”
Pomander stared; Mrs. Woffington laughed.
Now it was Vane's turn.
“Let me have a copy of verses from your pen. I shall have five pounds at your disposal for them.”
“The world has found me out!” thought Triplet, blinded by his vanity.—
“The subject, sir?”
“No matter,” said Vane—“no matter.”
“Oh, of course it does not matter to me,” said Triplet, with some hauteur, and assuming poetic omnipotence. “Only, when one knows the subject, one can sometimes make the verses apply better.”