Sealed Lips — page 50: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

42 SHALED LIPS. lost. I should have against me, in one week, the manager, who would fear for his authority and his money, jealous comrades and patrons, who would be furious against this disloyal preference; in one word, all the wcrld would be against me.” “Very well,” said O’Farrell, giving his friend a side glance. “Then you leave the field open to me. I will profit by it. As for me, thank God, I do not compose operas.” Antoine shrugged-his shoulders without replying, and the two friends separated, one to return to Godefroid’s house, the other to leave tickets with some of the most celebrated critics and musicians. When he returned to his home the first thing that he saw was Patrice stretched out in an arm-chair, before a good fire, smoking. “You can rest,” growled he, as he renewed his overcoat. “Youare lucky, I am obliged to work. I have letters to write that will take half the night.” “Master,” said O’Farrell, standing up, “your slave awaits your orders. Will you take me as secretary ?” “With pleasure. Did you imagine that I should require urging? Seat yourself and reply to all this trash, to the people who complain because they did not have aseat at the first performance, and ask for one for to-night. I will take care of the others, the important ones, to which my autograph is indis- pensable. I must first write a half a dozen varia- tions on this theme: ‘Monsieur—or madame—“(Con- (EONAICEl OOO KS, (E()