Soon after the rising of the curtain, we behold the figure of Mr. Yates displayed to great advantage in the dress usually assigned to _Noodle_ and _Doodle_ in the tragedy of "Tom Thumb." He represents the _Count Ollivarez_, and the head of a political party--the opposition. The Court faction having for its chief the _Duchess of Albafurez_, who being Mistress of the Queen's robes is of course her favourite; for the millinery department of the country which can boast of a Queen Regnant is of far higher importance than foreign or financial affairs, justice, police, or war--consequently, the chief of the wardrobe is far more exalted and better beloved than a mere Premier or Secretary of State. The Count is planning an intrigue, the agents of which are to be _Henrico_, a Court page, and _Felicia_, a court milliner. Not being able to make much of the page, he turns over a new leaf, and addresses himself to the dress-maker; so, after a few preliminary hems, he draws out the thread of his purpose to her, and cuts out an excellent pattern for her guidance, which if she implicitly follow will assuredly make her a Maid of Honour. A comedy without mystery is Punch without a joke; Yates without a speech to the audience on a first night; or Bartley's pathos without a pocket-handkerchief. The Court page soon opens the book of _imbroglio_. He is made a Captain of the Queen's Guard by some unknown hand; he has always been protected by the same unseen benefactor, who, as if to guard him from every ill that flesh is heir to, showers on him his or her favours upon condition that he never marries! "Happy man," exclaims the Count. "Not at all," answers the other, "I am in love with _Felicia_!" Nobody is surprised at this, for it is a rule amongst dramatists never to forbid the banns until the banned, poor devil, is on the steps of the altar. _Henrico_, now a Captain, goes off to flesh his sword; meets with an insult, and by the greatest good luck kills his antagonist in the precincts of the palace; so that if he be not hanged for murder, his fortune is made. The victim is the Count's cousin, to whom he is next of kin. "Good Heavens!" ejaculates _Ollivarez_, "You have made yourself a criminal, and me--a Duke! Horrible!"