Part 48 (2/2)
”No paper will print it!”
”My dear Marrier,” said Edward Henry, ”don't be a simpleton You knoell as I do that half-a-dozen papers will be delighted to print it And all the rest will copy the one that does print it It'll be the talk of London to-morrow, and Isabel Joy will be absolutely snuffed out”
”Well,” said Mr Marrier, ”I never heard of such a thing!”
”Pity you didn't, then!”
Mr Marrier moved away
”I say,” he ht to read that to Rose first?”
”I'll read it to Rose like a bird,” said Edward Henry
Within two et fro at Rose Euclid's door ”Who's there?” said a voice He entered and then replied: ”I a the arm of an easy-chair behind her Her maid stood near by with a whisky-and-soda
”Sorry you can't go on with the rehearsal, Miss Euclid,” said Edward Henry very quickly ”However, we ht you'd like to hear this It's part of an intervieithto appear to-, he went on to read: ”I found Mr Alderman Machin, the hero of the Five Towns and the proprietor and initiator of London's newest and most up-to-date and most intellectual theatre, surrounded by a coerial rooent He received me very courteously ”Yes,”
he said in response to my question, ”the rumour is quite true The principal part in 'The Orient Pearl' will be played on the first night by Miss Euclid's understudy, Miss Olga Cunningha woman of very remarkable talent No, Miss Euclid is not ill or even indisposed
But she and I have had a grave difference of opinion The point between us hether Miss Euclid's speeches ought to be clearly audible in the auditoriu
I may be provincial But that was and is allery, I could not hear her lines I objected She refused to consider the objection or to proceed with the rehearsal _Hinc illae lachrymae_!””Not at all,” said Mr Machin in reply to a question, ”I have the highest adenius I should not presu experience of the stage, very long, and doubtless knows better than I do Only, the Regent happens to be my theatre, and I'm responsible for it Every member of the audience will have a coe, and I intend that every member of the audience shall hear every word that is uttered on the stage I'm odd, I know But then I've a reputation for oddness to keep up And by the way, I'reat reputation for herself”
”Not while I' up, and enunciating her words with lanced at her, and then continued to read: ”Suggestions for headlines 'Piquant quarrel between er and star-actress'
'Unparalleled situation' 'Trouble at the Regent Theatre'”
”Mr Machin,” said Rose Euclid, ”you are not a gentleman”
”You'd hardly think so, would you?” mused Edward Henry, as if mildly interested in this new discovery of Miss Euclid's
”Maria,” said the star to her o back to the gallery,” said Edward Henry ”It's the place for people like me, isn't it? I daresay I'll tear up this paper later, Miss Euclid--we'll see”
IV
On the next night a ht have been seen standing at the corner of Piccadilly Circus and Lower Regent Street, staring at an electric sign in the shape of a shi+eld which said, in its glittering, throbbing speech of incandescence:
THE REGENT
ROSE EUCLID