Part 30 (1/2)
”Oh, and you're in the fas.h.i.+on too. How long have you been a fine lady?”
Spiller's voice and manner had become slightly serious. Lavinia was too familiar with London life not to understand the inference.
”I owe it all to Mr. Gay,” she answered quickly. ”He is the kindest hearted man in the world. You see he spoke to her Grace the d.u.c.h.ess of Queensberry about me and she sent me to school in Queen Square.”
”What, you've rubbed shoulders with the quality, have you? How comes it then that you talk to me--a rogue and a vagabond?”
”You a rogue and a vagabond! Indeed you're not. I--I'm afraid, though, I'm one. I doubt if her grace would notice me now.”
”The devil she wouldn't! What's happened then?”
”Oh, it's a long story. I should tire you if I were to tell you.”
”A pretty girl tire me? What do you take me for, Polly? It is Polly, isn't it?”
”Mr. Gay called me Polly, but it isn't my right name.”
”Good enough for me, my dear. But what have you done? A harmless bit of mischief when all's said, I'll swear.”
”I don't know,” rejoined Lavinia slowly. ”I didn't mean any harm but I suppose I was very silly.”
”Well, let me have the catalogue of your sins and I'll be judge.”
CHAPTER XVIII
”SOME DAY YOU'LL BE THE TALK OF THE TOWN”
As the two paced up and down in front of the playhouse Lavinia told the actor the whole story. Spiller smiled indulgently at the love portion of the narrative, but was impressed by the test Lavinia had gone through at Pope's Villa and by Gay's belief in her future.
In Spiller's opinion there was no reason why Lavinia should not succeed as a comedy actress. Her want of experience was nothing. Her natural vivacity and intelligence were everything. Experience would soon come.
What actress who in those days became celebrated had had much training before she went on the boards? Where was the opportunity with but four theatres in London and one of them devoted to opera?
People were still living who could remember Kynaston the beautiful youth as the sole representative of women's parts before actresses were known on the stage. Nell Gwynne came from the gutter, and Nance Oldfield from a public house in St. James's Market. Mrs. Barry had possibly had some training under Davenant, who secured her an engagement, and she was at first a failure. She was destined for tragedy and tragic actresses are not made in five minutes, but comedy demanded little more than inborn sprightliness and high spirits. Lavinia had both, and she could sing.
Spiller, comedian as he was, possessed what we now call the artistic temperament. He was not contented with the mannerisms which provoke a laugh and because they never vary--the characteristic of many comedians who like to be recognised and applauded directly they step upon the stage. Spiller bestowed the greatest pains upon his ”make up”, and so identified himself with the part he was playing as completely to lose his own personality, and bewildered his audience as to whether he was their favourite they were applauding. He had the art of acting at his fingers' ends.
”Child,” said he when Lavinia had finished, ”Mr. Gay and Dr. Pepusch did not mistake. You've but to observe and work and some day you'll be the talk of the town.”
”Do you really mean that, Mr. Spiller?”
The girl's voice was tremulous with delight. Spiller's praise was of greater value than Gay's. He was an actor and knew.
”I shouldn't say so if I didn't. I mustn't lose sight of you. A pity you'll be staying at Hampstead. I'd like to take you to Mr. Rich. You ought to be near at hand.”
”But I don't want to go to Hampstead. I hate the very notion,” cried Lavinia breathlessly. ”If I could only find a lodging in town!”
”That might be managed. There are lodgings to be had in the house in Little Queen Street where Mrs. Egleton lives. But have you any money?”
”Enough to keep me for a week. Maybe Mr. Rich would find something for me to do. I can dance as well as sing.”