I presume--good riddance of bad rubbish for Australia."
"And who is that colourless-looking little man who has just come up?"
"He is rather washed out, isn't he?" said Ezra critically. "That is his assistant manager, Evan Malton. For some inexplicable reason they are inseparable."
"Oh, and is Mr. Malton also smitten with Caprice."
"Very badly--more shame to him, as he's only been married for twelve months--he neglects his young wife, and dances attendance at the heels of his divinity."
"Doesn't Hiram J--what's his name, object?"
"Not at all. You see they're both mixed up in speculation, and work together for their mutual benefit. Malton is the Lazarus--I don't mean myself--who picks up the crumbs of love that fall from Mr. Dives Fenton's table."
"It can't last long," said Keith in disgust.
"It will last till Malton gets rid of Fenton, or Fenton gets the better of Malton--then there'll be a row, and the weakest will go to the wall. Tell me, whom do you think will win?"
"I should say Fenton," replied Keith, glancing from the effeminate countenance of Malton to the shrewd, powerful face of the American.
"Exactly; he is, I fancy, the stronger villain of the two."
"Villain?"
"Yes; I call any man a villain who neglects his wife for the sake of a light-o'-love. As for Fenton, he is the most unscrupulous man I know."
"You seem to be pretty well acquainted with the scandal of Melbourne society," said Stewart as they went back to their seats.
"Of course, it is my duty; the press is ubiquitous. But tell me your opinion of Caprice?"
"Judging by her acting to-night, she's a devil."
"Wait till the end of this act, and you'll swear she's an angel."
"Which will be correct?"
"Both--she's a mixture!"
The curtain again drew up, amid the shuffling of the audience settling themselves in their places, and represented a fête in the gardens of Cagliostra's palace, brilliant with coloured lights and fantastically-dressed people. According to the story, Cagliostra has obtained possession of his prize, and woos her successfully, when Prince Carnival enters and sings a ballad, "So Long Ago," in the hope of touching the heart of his false love.
Caprice, dressed in a tight-fitting costume of silk and velvet, which showed off her beautiful figure to perfection, stood in the centre of the stage with a sad smile, and sang the waltz-refrain of the song with great feeling.
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