Journalistic Reporting.
"Applause in court, which was instantly suppressed;"
i.e., Some foolish people made a noise at the wrong moment, and applauded the wrong person.
"The case excited the greatest interest, and from an early hour in the morning the approaches to the court were thronged by a vast press of individuals, representing a large proportion of the rank, fashion, and intellect of the Metropolis;"
i.e., A crowd of loafers and London busy-bodies came to hear an offensive trial.
A Little Music.
"Well, I just put a song or two in my pocket, on the off-chance, you know;"
i.e., "I've half-a-dozen, but he's so jealous he'll take precious good care I shan't sing 'em all."
Private Theatricals.
"No, my dear old chap, you must play the Baron. You see, anybody, why I myself, can rattle through the Count. Plays itself, don'tcherknow. But the Baron, that wants an Actor. No, no, you must play the Baron;"
i.e., "He play the Count, at his age, and with his figure, and cut me out of my favourite part! Put a spoke in that wheel."
"With a song! Oh, but is my voice good enough to go with Miss Seetop's?"
i.e., "Scraggy screamer; she'd spoil Sims Reeves at his best."
"What I'm anxious about is the love-scene. You see I'm hardly up to the Romeo rôle;"
i.e., "With such a Juliet!"