"Halloa! all of you there," cried the pedant suddenly, in a joyful
voice, "come on without fear, you will be made welcome by a friend and a
brother, a world-famed member of our profession, the darling of Thespis,
the favourite of Thalia, no less a personage than the celebrated
Bellombre--you all know his glorious record. Blessed is the happy chance
that has directed our steps hither, to the philosophic retreat where
this histrionic hero reposes tranquilly upon his laurels."
"Come in, I pray you, ladies and gentlemen," said Bellombre, advancing
to meet them, with a graceful courtesy which proved that the ci-devant
actor had not put aside his elegant, courtly manners when he donned his
peasant dress.
"Come in quickly out of this biting wind; my dwelling is rude and
homely, but you will be better off within it than here in the open air."
They needed no urging, and joyfully accepting his kind invitation
followed their host into the house, charmed with this unhoped-for good
fortune. Blazius and Bellombre were old acquaintances, and had formerly
been members Of the same troupe; as their respective roles did not
clash there was no rivalry between them, and they had become fast
friends--being fellow worshippers at the shrine of the merry god of
wine.
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