MABEL. Invite an actress to his house! but Ernest is so warm-hearted and generous; no doubt ’tis as Mr. Triplet says; he has admired her acting and wished to mark his sense of her merit by presenting her these verses, and a dinner.
[Music.
These poor actors and actresses! I have seen some of them down in Huntingdonshire, and I know what a kindness it is to give them a good meal. (crosses to L.).
[Enter Sir Charles Pomander, L. C. down R.]
POM. What, madam, all alone, here as in Huntingdonshire! Force of habit. A husband with a wife in Huntingdonshire is so like a bachelor.
MABEL. Sir!
POM. And our excellent Ernest is such a favourite.
MABEL. No wonder.
POM. There are not many who can so pass in six months from the larva state of Bumpkin to the butterfly existence of Beau.