In the third act, however, she was more fortunate; the gentlemen again changed their places, and they were succeeded by others who came to the Opera not to hear themselves but the performers: and as soon as she was permitted to listen, the voice of Pacchierotti took from her all desire to hear any thing but itself. During the last dance she was discovered by Sir Robert Floyer, who, sauntering down fop's alley, stationed himself by her side, and whenever the _figurante_ relieved the principal dancers, turned his eyes from the stage to her face, as better worth his notice, and equally destined for his amusement. Mr Monckton, too, who for some time had seen and watched her, now approached; he had observed with much satisfaction that her whole mind had been intent upon the performance, yet still the familiarity of Sir Robert Floyer's admiration disturbed and perplexed him; he determined, therefore, to make an effort to satisfy his doubts by examining into his intentions: and, taking him apart, before the dance was quite over, “Well,” he said, “who is so handsome here as Harrel's ward?” “Yes,” answered he, calmly, “she is handsome, but I don't like her expression.” “No? why, what is the fault of it?” “Proud, cursed proud. It is not the sort of woman I like. If one says a civil thing to her, she only wishes one at the devil for one's pains.” “O, you have tried her, then, have you? why, you are not, in general, much given to say civil things.” “Yes, you know, I said something of that sort to her once about Juliet, at the rehearsal. Was not you by?” “What, then, was that all? and did you imagine one compliment would do your business with her?” “O, hang it, who ever dreams of complimenting the women now? that's all at an end.” “You won't find she thinks so, though; for, as you well say, her pride is insufferable, and I, who have long known her, can assure you it does not diminish upon intimacy.” “Perhaps not,--but there's very pretty picking in 3000 pounds per annum! one would not think much of a little encumbrance upon such an estate.” “Are you quite sure the estate is so considerable? Report is mightily given to magnify.” “O, I have pretty good intelligence: though, after all, I don't know but I may be off; she'll take a confounded deal of time and trouble.” Monckton, too much a man of interest and of the world to cherish that delicacy which covets universal admiration for the object of its fondness, then artfully enlarged upon the obstacles he already apprehended, and insinuated such others as he believed would be most likely to intimidate him. But his subtlety was lost upon the impenetrable Baronet, who possessed that hard insensibility which obstinately pursues its own course, deaf to what is said, and indifferent to what is thought.