Page:Romance & Reality 1.pdf/144

138 fatal truth—the vessel was under quarantine, and once on board there was no quitting it. All that the captain could do was to grumble, and say he supposed she must have his cabin; and there this candidate for the honour of the Athenians was left to reflect on her ball next evening, and the chance of catching the plague,—for cholera was not then invented to fright the isle." All around laughed, as people always laugh at misfortunes, i.e. with all their heart. "I understand," observed Mrs. Sullivan, "that the Adelphi intends converting itself into an amphitheatre, and treating the spectators, after the fashion of the Roman conquerors, to a show of wild beasts. Why do you not recommend them to give a bull-fight?" "Such an animated account of one as I have just been reading in the Talba, where a young Moorish prince vanquishes, single-handed, in the arena, a black and ferocious bull! I have some thoughts of turning author myself, on purpose to dramatise one of the most interesting stories I have read. How pretty Mrs. Yates would look as Inez de Castro! Think of the splendid scene of the bull-fight, its chivalric and romantic associations!"