The curtain rose and the play began. To-night it was one of
Colman's, who at this time enjoyed great popularity, and Mr.
Bannister supported the leading character. Anne, with her hand
privately clasped in Bob's, and looking as if she did not know it,
partly watched the piece and partly the face of the impressionable
John who had so soon transferred his affections elsewhere. She had
not long to wait. When a certain one of the subordinate ladies of
the comedy entered on the stage the trumpet-major in his corner not
only looked conscious, but started and gazed with parted lips.
'This must be the one,' whispered Anne quickly. 'See, he is
agitated!'
She turned to Bob, but at the same moment his hand convulsively
closed upon hers as he, too, strangely fixed his eyes upon the
newly-entered lady.
'What is it?'
Anne looked from one to the other without regarding the stage at
all. Her answer came in the voice of the actress who now spoke for
the first time. The accents were those of Miss Matilda Johnson.
One thought rushed into both their minds on the instant, and Bob was
the first to utter it.
'What--is she the woman of his choice after all?'
'If so, it is a dreadful thing!' murmured Anne.
But, as may be imagined, the unfortunate John was as much surprised
by this rencounter as the other two. Until this moment he had been
in utter ignorance of the theatrical company and all that pertained
to it. Moreover, much as he knew of Miss Johnson, he was not aware
that she had ever been trained in her youth as an actress, and that
after lapsing into straits and difficulties for a couple of years
she had been so fortunate as to again procure an engagement here.
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