they tuned their instruments, as if they didn't want the play to begin,

and knew it all beforehand! What a glow was that, which burst upon

them all, when that long, clear, brilliant row of lights came slowly up;

and what the feverish excitement when the little bell rang and the

music began in good earnest, with strong parts for the drums, and

sweet effects for the triangles! Well might Barbara's mother say to Kit's

mother that the gallery was the place to see from, and wonder it

wasn't much dearer than the boxes; well might Barbara feel doubtful

whether to laugh or cry, in her flutter of delight.

Then the play itself! the horses which little Jacob believed from the

first to be alive, and the ladies and gentlemen of whose reality he

could be by no means persuaded, having never seen or heard

anything at all like them - the firing, which made Barbara wink - the

forlorn lady, who made her cry - the tyrant, who made her tremble -

the man who sang the song with the lady's-maid and danced the

chorus, who made her laugh - the pony who reared up on his hind

legs when he saw the murderer, and wouldn't hear of walking on all

fours again until he was taken into custody - the clown who ventured

on such familiarities with the military man in boots - the lady who

jumped over the nine-and-twenty ribbons and came down safe upon

the horse's back - everything was delightful, splendid, and surprising!

Little Jacob applauded till his hands were sore; Kit cried 'an-kor' at

the end of everything, the three-act piece included; and Barbara's

mother beat her umbrella on the floor, in her ecstasies, until it was

nearly worn down to the gingham.

In the midst of all these fascinations, Barbara's thoughts seemed to

have been still running on what Kit had said at tea-time; for, when

they were coming out of the play, she asked him, with an hysterical

simper, if Miss Nell was as handsome as the lady who jumped over the

ribbons.

'As handsome as her?' said Kit. 'Double as handsome.'

'Oh Christopher! I'm sure she was the beautifullest creature ever was,'

said Barbara.

Nonsense!' returned Kit. 'She was well enough, I don't deny that; but

think how she was dressed and painted, and what a difference that

made. Why YOU are a good deal better looking than her, Barbara.'

'Oh Christopher!' said Barbara, looking down.

'You are, any day,' said Kit, ' - and so's your mother.'

Poor Barbara!

The Old Curiosity Shop