"Exactly; he is, I fancy, the stronger villain of the two."
"Villain?"
"Yes; I call any man a villain who neglects his wife for the sake of a light-o'-love. As for Fenton, he is the most unscrupulous man I know."
"You seem to be pretty well acquainted with the scandal of Melbourne society," said Stewart as they went back to their seats.
"Of course, it is my duty; the press is ubiquitous. But tell me your opinion of Caprice?"
"Judging by her acting to-night, she's a devil."
"Wait till the end of this act, and you'll swear she's an angel."
"Which will be correct?"
"Both--she's a mixture!"
The curtain again drew up, amid the shuffling of the audience settling themselves in their places, and represented a fête in the gardens of Cagliostra's palace, brilliant with coloured lights and fantastically-dressed people. According to the story, Cagliostra has obtained possession of his prize, and woos her successfully, when Prince Carnival enters and sings a ballad, "So Long Ago," in the hope of touching the heart of his false love.