d told him I felt very doubtful as to whether I could do him
or myself justice in it.

"He would not hear of my giving it up, saying that he knew me better than
I did myself; that I was always doubtful; but that he was willing to take
the risk. He also read a letter which he had received from some one in
Paris giving advice regarding the production, in which, among other
things, it was said that _Baron Chevrial_ was the principal part, that
everything depended on him, and that 'if you can get Stoddart to look well
in full dress he is the man you must have to play it.'

"I left Mr. Palmer, resolved to try again, and do my best. Mr. Mansfield
was in the play for a small part, and, I discovered, was watching me like
a cat during rehearsals.

"A lot of fashion-plates were sent to my dressing-room, with instructions
to select my costume. As I had hitherto been, for some time, associated
with vagabonds, villains, etc., I think these fashion-plates had a
tendency to unnerve me more than anything else. So I again went to Mr.
Palmer and told him I could not play the _Baron_.

Young Mansfield's Triumph.

"'You must,' said Mr. Palmer. 'I rather think Mr. Mansfield must have
suspected something of the sort, for he has been to me, asking, in the
event of your not playing it, that I give it to him. I have never seen Mr.
Mansfield act; he has not had much experience, and might ruin the
production.'

"At Mr. Palmer's earnest solicitation I promised to try it again. I had by
this time worked myself into such a state of nervousness that my wife
interfered.

"'All the theaters in the world,' said she, 'are not worth what you are
suffering. Go and tell Mr. Palmer you positively cannot play the part.'

"Fearing the outcome, I did not risk another interview with my manager,
but sought out Mr. Cazauran, and returned the part to him with a message
to Mr. Palmer that I positively declined to play it.

"The result was that Mr. Mansfield was put in my place. The result is well
known.

"Mr. Palmer was delighted, and _I_ consoled myself with the thought that
my refusal of the part had proved not only far better for the interests of
the production, but was also the immediate cause of giving an early
opportunity to one who has since done much for the stage."

Back To Comic Opera.

Oddly enough, in spite of his sensational success as the senile _Baron_,
Mansfield's next engagement after "A Parisian Romance" had run its course
at the