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FOR MISTRESS WOFFINGTON, HISSED VANE
this was a little more than a customary affaire de coeur. The man was fast losing his head, and Mistress Peg had that in her eves for which many men would have offered up their heart's blood. To Kitty Clive, the ripening affair was but another thorn in the flesh. This new conquest would mean more notoriety, more stimulated curiosity, fresh laurels to the toast o' the town — Peg "Woffington.
"We are going to my town house for the supper, Pomander," announced Vane, after a whispered confab between himself and Peg ; ' ' f ollow on!"
"We will!" Pomander called forth. Then he turned to Kitty. "You have seen?" he inquired, noting the green monster in her eyes.
"One would be blind otherwise," she answered him sarcastically; "but there — I am used to such tactics on the part of Mistress Woffington. Your friend is wealthy ? ' '
"Very wealthy."
"Then matrimony is her object, no doubt. It will be a novelty — and a new feather in her already overtrimmed bonnet."
"This feather, then, will float
away
smiled Pomander.
Vane
happens to be married!"
31
"Married?"
' ' In very truth, to a most charming lady of fair name and gentle manners and witching grace."
"You wax eloquent, Sir Pomander. ' '
"Eh, what? Dear, no, not I. I feel for the hapless lady, and would do her a service if I could — and him — a harm ! ' '
"We feel alike then, Sir Pomander, in one respect," eagerly said Kitty Clive. "I, too, would do a harm — to Mistress Peg Woffington."
"Indeed! So!"
1 1 Yes ' ' — passionately — ' ' she has stood betwixt me and success for years; she has taken my honors, my applause, outdone me calmly and consistently; she has quaffed the wine and handed me the dregs with a smile on her hateful face. I hate her for it — and I would die to do her harm."
Pomander smiled inwardly at the fury of the woman. How bitterly women can hate; how sacredly they can love !
"Then hark ye, Mistress Clive," he said, facing her intently. "I have a plan to unfold — lean closer — walls have ears, you know."
The great rooms at Vane's Vanity