“Mr. Garrick,” cried Miss Hoppner, “I beg that you will exercise your authority. You assigned to me the brocade, did you not, sir?”
“And I affirm that the brocade will be more suitably worn by me, sir,” said Peggy. “And I further affirm that I mean to wear it, Mr. Garrick.”
“I would fain hope that the caprice of a vain woman will not be permitted to have force against every reasonable consideration,” said Miss Hoppner, elevating her chin by another inch as she glanced out of the corners of her eyes in the direction of the other actress.
“That is all I ask for, madam; and as we are so agreed, I presume that you will hand me over the gown without demur.”
“Yours is the caprice, madam, let me tell you. I have right on my side.”
“And I shall have the brocade on mine by way of compensation, my dear lady.”
“Ladies!” cried Garrick, interposing, “I must beg of you not to embarrass me. 'T is a small matter—this of dress, and one that should not make a disagreement between ladies of talent. If one is a good actress, one can move an audience without so paltry an auxiliary as a yard or two of silk.”
“I will not pay Miss Hoppner so poor a compliment as would be implied by the suggestion that she needs the help of a silk brocade to eke out her resources as an actress,” said Peggy.
“I ask not for compliments from Mrs. Woffington. The brocade was assigned to me, and—”
“It would be ungenerous to take advantage of Mr. Garrick's error, madam.”