Page:Genlis - The Palace of Truth (1819).djvu/150

in greater peril; nothing can save us, we a lost beyond redemption.

What do you mean?

Phanor, this evening, has invited us to he present, while he reads a play, written by himself.

But the piece may be good.

Unfortunately for us, it is execrable. We heard it six months ago, and persuaded Phanor it was a chef-d'œuvre.

I conceive your perplexity; the genius has, perhaps, invited you to this new reading, only to put your sincerity to the proof.

O, no! he is perfectly secure, and that is the worst part of the affair; he believes we have flattered him on every possible subject, this alone excepted.

But why would he read a work you have already heard?

Because he has made many alterations: there are likewise two celebrated authors just arrived, whom he intends to astonish and confound, by reading them his production.

He will be too busy with them to observe you.