TRIP. _An_ actress, madam! _The_ Actress!--and you have never seen her! Madam, you have a great pleasure before you; to see her act is a privilege, but to act with her, as I once did, though she doesn't remember it--I was hissed, madam, owing to circumstances which for the credit of our common nature I suppress. MABEL. An actor too! TRIP. And it was in a farce of my own too, madam, which was damned--accidentally. MABEL. And a play-writer? TRIP. Plays, madam! I have written a library of them; but the madmen who manage the patent houses won't act them and make their fortunes. You see in me a dramatic gold mine, lost because no company will work me. MABEL. Yes, yes; but tell me! this actress:--Mr. Vane admires her? TRIP. Mr. Vane is a gentleman of taste, madam. MABEL. And she was to have been here? There were none but persons of quality--Ah! the news of my intended arrival--no doubt--well Mr.---- TRIP. Triplet, madam! James Triplet, 10, Hercules Buildings, Lambeth: occasional verses, odes, epithalamia, elegies, dedications, translations, and every species of literary composition executed with spirit, punctuality, and secrecy. Portraits painted, and lessons given in declamation and the dramatic art. The card, madam, (_presents card_) of him, who, to all these qualifications adds a prouder still--that of being your humble, devoted, and truly grateful servant--James Triplet (_bows and moves off,--returns_). The fact is, madam, it may appear strange to you, but a kind hand has not so often been held out to me, that I should forget it, especially when that hand is so fair and gracious as yours. May I be permitted, madam? (_puts her hand to his lips_,) you will impute it to gratitude rather than audacity--madam, I am gone--I flatter myself James Triplet, throughout this charming interview, has conducted himself like what he may not appear to be--a gentleman.--Madam, I take my final leave. [_Exit 3 E. L._ MABEL. Invite an actress to his house! but Ernest is so warm-hearted and generous; no doubt 'tis as Mr. Triplet says; he has admired her acting and wished to mark his sense of her merit by presenting her these verses, and a dinner. [_Music._ These poor actors and actresses! I have seen some of them down in Huntingdonshire, and I know what a kindness it is to give them a good meal. (_crosses to L._). [_Enter Sir Charles Pomander, L. C. down R._] POM. What, madam, all alone, here as in Huntingdonshire! Force of habit. A husband with a wife in Huntingdonshire is so like a bachelor. MABEL. Sir! POM. And our excellent Ernest is such a favourite. MABEL. No wonder. POM. There are not many who can so pass in six months from the larva state of Bumpkin to the butterfly existence of Beau. [_Music ceases._ MABEL. Yes; (_sadly_) I find him changed. POM. Changed? transformed! He is now the prop of the Cocoa-tree--the star of Ranelagh--the Lauzum of the Green Room. MABEL. The green room?