Here Leslie put on his opera-hat, seized an imaginary partner, and began waltzing round, a la Rosherville Gardens.
Charles Surface was eventually introduced.
Lecturer: Charles Surface now enters. Please observe, ladies and gentlemen, that Charles Surface is "fast."
The entrance of Corney Grain, with his hat very much on one side, and his thumbs stuck in his waistcoat, as emblems of fastness, may be imagined better than described. In fact, it is quite impossible to describe the performance. All I can say is, that it had to be repeated; and, whether it was artistic or not, Mr. Luke Fildes, R.A., and Mr. Marcus Stone, R.A., attended both performances.
It may be asked how we managed to conclude the performance. After the screen was thrown down—for which, of course, there was no necessity; for through the glass could distinctly be seen her ladyship, with a plate of sandwiches and a glass of wine—the Lecturer said:
"All having been satisfactorily explained—"
At this abrupt announcement, without any action to justify it, there was continued laughter.
"According to the present fashion which prevails in revivals of old comedies, a minuet a la mode will be danced."
Munroe Coward arranged "Oh, the Jubilee!" a seasonable and popular comic song, a la minuet, in a most skilful manner; and to this we danced and made our bows, with the exception of myself, who, arrayed in an antimacassar, indulged in my very best courtesy.
Our host and hostess, whose reputation for kindness and hospitality cannot be surpassed, placed everything in our way to help us, and were so interested themselves that I know I can say, on the part of the players, that our labour was one of love. Our audience showed pretty plainly that they enjoyed the performance, and I know we did.