"
"Only the great Bellombre himself would ever be suffered to say such
things as these of that most illustrious ornament of our profession,"
said the tyrant, courteously.
"Art is long, but life is short," continued the ci-devant actor, "and I
should have arrived at a certain degree of proficiency at last perhaps,
but--I was beginning to grow stout; and I would not allow myself to
cling to the stage until two footmen should have to come and help me up
from my rheumatic old knees every time I had a declaration of love
to make, so I gladly seized the opportunity afforded me by my little
inheritance, and retired in the height of my glory."
"And you were wise, Bellombre," said Blazius, "though your retreat was
premature; you might have given ten years more to the theatre, and then
have retired full early."
In effect he was still a very handsome, vigorous man, about whom no
signs of age were apparent, save an occasional thread of silver amid the
rich masses of dark hair that fell upon his shoulders.
The younger men, as well as the three actresses, were glad to retire to
rest early; but Blazius and the tyrant, with their host, sat up drinking
the latter's capital wine until far into the night. At length they, too,
succumbed to their fatigue; and while they are sleeping we will return
to the abandoned chariot to see what was going on there.
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