“Nay, I will not be dragged by the hair of the head into any of your plots, my friend,” cried Burney. “Nay, not I. I have some reputation to maintain, good friend Garrick; you must play alone the part of Puck that you have chosen for yourself this many a year. Think not that you will induce me to study the character under you, and so thus——-”
The manservant threw open the door of the room, announcing:
“Mr. Kendal to wait upon you, sir.”
But by the time a small and rather rotund gentleman had been ushered into the room, Mr. Garrick was apparently engaged in an animated conversation with Miss Burney on the subject of the table-cover at which she was working.
CHAPTER II
THE visitor walked with the short strut of the man who at least does not underrate his own importance in the world. But he suggested just at the moment the man who is extremely nervous lest he may not appear perfectly selfpossessed. There was an air of bustle about him as he strutted into the room, saying:
“Dr. Burney, I am your servant, sir. I have done myself the honour to visit you on a rather important piece of business.”
“Sir, you have conferred honour upon me,” said Dr. Burney.