Memoirs Of Joseph Grimaldi

MEMOIRS OP JOSEPH GI

189

men, lie dissembled Ms dislike, and placed some refreshment
before Mm, of wMchhe partook. He then said,

" Mr. Mackintosh, I cannot suppose you to be guilty of any
act of tMs kind, for you have so many circumstances in your
favour. Putting myself out of the question,—I am merely an
actor, -working for my subsistence,—you can call, to prove your
alibi, gentlemen of station and undoubted respectability. Mr.
Farmer and Ms friends, for instance, could not fail to have great
weight "with the court."

A very perceptible change overspread the countenance of Mr.
Mackintosh when he heard these words. He shook Ms head
with great -vehemence, and looked strongly disposed to laugh.
Grimaldi, who was one of the simplest creatures in all worldly
matters that ever breathed, paused for a reply, but finding Ms
acquaintance said nothing, added,

"Besides,—the'ladies. Dear me, Mr. Mackintosh, the ap-
pearance of those gentlemen's wives would be almost enough to
acquit you at once."

" Mr. Grrimaldi," said Mackintosh, with a slight tremor in.
his voice wMeh, despite Ms serious situation, arose from an
incipient tendency to laughter,—" Mr. Grimaldi, none of those
women, are married." '

Grrimaldi stared incredulously.

" Not one," said Mackintosh : " they only pass for married
people—they are not really so."

" Then how," said Grrimaldi, waxing very angry, "how dared
you to invite my wife among them, and induce me to take her
there!"

" I'm very sorry, sir," said the man, humbly.

"•Ill tell you what, sir," interposed the other, " I'll be put
off no longer: tMs is not the time for secrecy and falsehood, nor
is it your interest to tell me anything but the truth. Now, I
demand to know at once the real characters of these people, and
why you shook your head when I mentioned your bringing voluntary on Ms part), immediately