Blyth
exhibited no demonstration of astonishment or pleasure. It was only
when a bell rang between the first and second parts of the performance,
and the band struck up "Gentle Zitella," that he showed any symptoms of
animation. Then he suddenly rose; and, moving down to a bench close
against the low partition which separated the ring from the audience,
fixed his eyes intently on a doorway opposite to him, overhung by a
frowzy red curtain with a tinsel border.
From this doorway there now appeared Mr. Jubber himself, clothed in
white trousers with a gold stripe, and a green jacket with military
epaulettes. He had big, bold eyes, a dyed mustache, great fat, flabby
cheeks, long hair parted in the middle, a turn-down collar with a
rose-colored handkerchief; and was, in every respect, the most
atrocious looking stage vagabond that ever painted a blackguard face.
He led with him, holding her hand, the little deaf and dumb girl, whose
misfortune he had advertised to the whole population of Rubbleford.
The face and manner of the child, as she walked into the center of the
circus, and made her innocent curtsey and kissed her hand, went to the
hearts of the whole audience in an instant. They greeted her with such
a burst of applause as might have frightened a grown actress.
Pages:
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93