'Yes, a romp; but what is a romp?' Kate asked herself; and she strove to realize in detail that which she had accepted till now in outline. XVI 'Ladies and gentlemen,' said Mr. Hayes, who had been pushed, much against his will, before the curtain of the Theatre Royal, Bristol, to make the following statement, 'I'm sorry to inform you that in consequence of indisposition--that is to say, the accidental spraining of her ankle--Miss Leslie will not be able to appear to-night. Your kind indulgence is therefore requested for Miss D'Arcy, who has, on the shortest notice, consented to play the part of Serpolette.' 'Did yer ever 'ear of anyone spraining an ankle on purpose?' asked a scene-shifter. 'Hush!' said the gas-man, 'he'll 'ear you.' Amid murmurs of applause, Mr. Hayes backed into the wings. 'Well, was it all right?' he asked Dick. 'Right, my boy, I should think it was; there was a touch of Gladstone in your accidentally sprained ankle.' 'What do you mean?' said the discomfited acting manager. 'I haven't time to tell you now. Now then, girls, are you ready?' he said, rushing on to the stage and hurriedly changing the places of the choristers. Putting his hand on a girl's shoulder, he moved her to the right or left as his taste dictated. Then retiring abruptly, he cried, 'Now then, up you go!' and immediately after thirty voices in one sonority sang: '"In Corneville's wide market-pla-a-ces, Sweet servant-girls, with rosy fa-a-ces, Wait here, wait here."' 'Now, then, come on. You make your entrance from the top left.' 'I don't think I shall ever be able to do that run in.' 'Don't begin to think about anything. If you don't like the run, I'll tell you how to do it,' said Dick, his face lighting up with a sudden inspiration; 'do it with a cheeky swagger, walking very slowly, like this; and then when you get quarter of the way down the stage, stop for a moment and sing, "Who speaks ill of Serpolette?" Do you see?' 'Yes, yes, that will suit me better; I understand.' Then standing under the sloping wing, they both listened anxiously for the cue. 'She loves Grenicheux.' 'There's your cue. On you go; give me your shawl.'