Bartholomew Jarper--generally called Barty by his friends--was a
bank clerk, and had come up to Ballarat on a visit. He was well
known in Melbourne society, and looked upon himself quite as a
leader of fashion. He went everywhere, danced divinely--so the
ladies said--sang two or three little songs, and played the same
accompaniment to each of them, was seen constantly at the theatres,
plunged a little at the races, and was altogether an extremely gay
dog. It is, then, little to be wondered at that, satiated as he was
with Melbourne gaiety, he should be vastly critical of the humble
efforts of the Wopples family to please him. He had met Villiers at
his hotel, when both of them being inebriated they swore eternal
friendship. Mr Villiers, however, was very sulky on this particular
night, for his head still pained him, so Barty stared round the
house in a supercilious manner, and sucked the nob of his cane for
refreshment between the acts.
Just as the orchestra were making their final plunge into the finale
of the 'Wopples' Waltz', M. Vandeloup, cool and calm as usual,
strolled into the theatre, and, seeing a vacant seat beside
Villiers, walked over and took it.
'Good evening, my friend,' he said, touching Villiers on the
shoulder. 'Enjoying the play, eh?'
Villiers angrily pushed away the Frenchman's hand and glared
vindictively at him.
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