"Going, sir!! Why, I left my lollipop in the tinder-box, and I'm going to fetch it."
"Ha! ha! ha!"
"Strike up, music!" and Master Jumbo commenced tumbling.
Such was the elegant wit with which we amused and attracted the audience. Perhaps, had we been more refined, we should not have been so successful.
That evening we had the room as full as it could hold. Signor Velotti alias Melchior astonished them. The cards appeared to obey his commands—rings were discovered in lady's shoes—watches were beat to a powder and made whole—canary birds flew out of eggs. The audience were delighted. The entertainment closed with Fleta's performance on the slack wire; and certainly never was there anything more beautiful and graceful. Balanced on the wire in a continual, waving motion, her eyes fixed upon a point to enable her to maintain her position, she performed several feats, such as the playing with five oranges, balancing swords, &c. Her extreme beauty—her very picturesque and becoming dress—her mournful expression and downcast eyes—her gentle manner, appeared to win the hearts of the audience; and when she was assisted off from her perilous situation by Melchior and me, and made her graceful courtesy, the plaudits were unanimous.
When the company dispersed I went to her, intending to praise her, but I found her in tears. "What is the matter, my dear Fleta?"
"O nothing! don't say I have been crying—but I cannot bear it—so many people looking at me. Don't say a word to Melchior—I won't cry any more."
Chapter XII
It is very easy to humbug those who are so eager to be humbugged as people are in this world of humbug—We show ourselves excessively disinterested, which astonishes everybody.