Salerne. Start the dullest brain? Hildreth. Like mine, I mean. Salerne. Ah.--Yes; I've been with Groom. He's drinking Burgundy in the "Rose and Crown." Poor Groom! The one great actor of our time. Finest since Garrick I should say. Abbot. And I. Hildreth. Come, come; no treason! Groom is very well; But we're Sir Tristram's men. Salerne. And loyal still! Abbot. Oh, loyal enough! Sir Tristram needs it too. I'd burn his bishop in Smithfield if I could. [Goes out.] Salerne. Why is he late? Hildreth. You know as much as I. Salerne. Infer as much? Hildreth. I'll not discuss the matter. Salerne. You're too devoted, Hildreth. Some one comes. Hildreth. That's not his step. Salerne. [Looking out] The Bishop! Curse his cloth! [Goes out] [Enter St. James's.] St. J. Good evening, Hildreth. Is Sir Tristram here? Hildreth. Not yet, my lord. St. J. At what time is he due? Hildreth. He's overdue, my lord. St. J. Unlike him that. Hildreth. Unlike him? Yes; a month ago. St. J. A month? Hildreth. May I speak freely? St. J. Speak without reserve If it concerns the welfare of my friend. Hildreth. My lord, most intimately. For a month His leading lady has led him by the nose. St. J. Europa Troop: familiar at rehearsal; But that I thought the method of the stage. Hildreth. Oh no, my lord. Sir Tristram kept a state About him always till the change began. St. J. What change? Hildreth. The change from promptitude and ease To absence, fear, perplexity in all He does. St. J. Unjust! Consideration, care, An artist's terror; but mastery of his work. Hildreth. Pardon, my lord. I love him, and I know. The definite purpose, the consummate skill That made his management a royal game Have left him; and he stumbles to the goal, Which once he reached unerring and direct As wireless news or planetary light. St. J. Fine of you, Hildreth! But I think the play Replies for all Sir Tristram's hesitance. Hildreth. Partly, my lord: the play is difficult. St. J. Where is he now? Hildreth. None of us know, my lord. I dread mischance. St. J. On what conjecture, Hildreth? Hildreth. The vaguest: at his house, no word of him; And at his club, no word. St. J. That means no more Than this: he was not home nor at his club. Hildreth. Yes, but, my lord, the first night of a play! Not in the history of the theatre---- [Enter Sir Tristram] St. J. No more foreboding, Hildreth!