pages: practicalmagicia00harr.pdf, 84
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practicalmagicia00harr.pdf | 84 | 74 THE PRACTICAL MAGICIAN. lic and private, made his company in high request among the up- per circles. The Lord Mayor of the City, in particular, received the ventriloquist with great distinction, and invited him several times to dine at the Mansion House. But it unluckily happened that on every occasion when M. Alexandre dined there, le could not stay to spend the evening, having contracted engagements elsewhiere. The Lord Mayor expressed much regret at this, and the ventriloquist himself was annoyed on the same account, being willing to do his best to entertain the guests whom the Lord May- or had asked each time to meet him. At last, on meeting M. Alexandre one day, the Lord Mayor en- gaged him to dine at the Mansion House on a remote day. 'I fix it purposely, " said his lordship, "at so distant a period, because I wish to make sure this time of your remaining with us through the evening. Through fear of seeming purposely to slight his lordship, M. Alexandre did not dare to tell the Mayor that on that very morning he had accepted an invitation from a noble- ble man of high rank to spend at his house the evening of the identical day so unfortunately pitched on by the civic dignitary. All the ventriloquist said in reply was, "I promise, my lord to remain at the Mansion House, till you, yourself think it time for me to take my leave." Ah, well," said the Lord Mayor, and he went off perfectly satisfied. At the appointed day Alexandre sat himself down at the mag- istrate's board. Never had the ventriloquist comported himself with so much spirit and gaiety. He insisted on devoting bumpers to each and every lady present. The toasts went round, the old port flowed like water, and the artiste in particular seemed in danger of loosing his reason under its potent influence. When others stopped, he stopped not, but continued filling and emptying incessantly. By and-by, his eyes began to stare, his visage became purple, his tongue grew con- fused, his whole body seemed to steam of wine, and finally he sank from his chair in a state of maudlin, helpless insensibil- ity. Regretting the condition of his guest, the Lord Mayor got him quietly lifted, and conveyed to his own carriage, giving orders for him to be taken home to his lodgings. As soon as M. Alexandre was deposited there, he became a very different being. It was now ten o'clock, and but half an hour was left to him to prepare for his appointed visit to the Duke of- suree. The ventrilo- quist disrobed himself, taking first from his breast a quantity of sponge which he had placed beneath his waiste oat, and into the pores of which he had, with a quick and dexter ous hand, poured the greater portion of the wine which he had apparently swal- lowed. Having washed from his person all token of his simy ated in- |