Page:The Ladies' Cabinet of Fashion, Music & Romance 1832.pdf/100

Rh Before we sat down to dinner, it had been arranged, that we -that is, my friend, wife, and sister, myself and Miss Lshould go to the theatre in the evening to hear a celebrated French actress, whose star was then in the ascendant. I had no time to make new arrangements ; for when we rose from the table, it was even then time to set forth. The fresh air and the lively conversation of my friends nearly restored me to myself ; so that when we took possession of our box, I was comfortable both in body and mind. But for my foot there was no permanent peace. There was but a temporary truce with pain. I had not been seated ten minutes, before the enemy returned, reinforced. I soon felt that to endure until the play was over, would be utterly beyond my power. There was but one course to pursue. I silently slipped my foot from the boot, and sitting close to my companion, succeededthanks to the ample folds of her cloak ! -in securing my white stocking from observation. The acting was superb-my foot was at ease- my companion agreeable and I quite forgot that I was bootless. The last act was closed, and the curtain fell. My friends offered an arm each to immediately left the box. Mr. Hhis wife and sister, and you would not expect a lady to walked with them, but not wait for her beau !-Miss Lwithout " a lingering look behind. " The instant they were out of the box, I seized my boot, and attempted to thrust my foot into it ; but it had swollen, and the first effort cost me excruciating pain ; yet this I did not regard. But all my efforts were vain. I could as easily have thrust an alderman through a key-hole. I seized my pen-knife, and split the offending boot nearly from top to toe. Then planting my foot on the sole, I tied my handkerchief tightly around the leg, and rushed through the crowd. In my haste, I well nigh overturned a fat old lady, who was leaning on her son's arm. The old woman cried, " Oh Lord !" and the youth, in ire, muttered an oath, and raised his cane ; but I was too quick for him. I reached the door, amid the screams of the ladies, the deep, though for the most part unspoken, curses of the men, and the cry of " Seize him !" from the police officers. But my friends and my betrothed, where were they ? Lost in the crowd, or shut up in some of the carriages that were pressing around the door ? I saw at once that all search was useless. I waited until nearly all had left the house, and then slowly and sadly took my way to my hotel. I went to bed ; but the visions of the day were present to my waking thoughts, or haunted my short and troubled slumbers.