A large candelabra hung from the ceiling, illumining its gilded floral design, and making a tempting target for the young ruffians in the topmost gallery, who had come plentifully supplied with rotting vegetables with which to pelt the actors should they prove disappointing.

The gentry sat in one of three rows of boxes, protected from any malodorous missiles. Each box contained a single candle in a glass shade. These were not extinguished during the performance, so that those who were more interested in watching the audience than the actors found it easy to do so.

'There come the Hamiltons,' cried Theo, waving across the theater to a stage box; 'next to the Schuylers.'

The three men in the Burr party rose, bowed ceremoniously. Alexander Hamilton hesitated a perceptible instant, returned the bow in a markedly curt manner, and seated himself at once without a smile.

Joseph's perceptions had sharpened lately. He turned in surprise to his host. 'General Hamilton seems less than cordial, do you not think?'

Aaron shrugged, though his lips tightened. 'He mislikes my politics, though one would expect a bit more suavity in a social gathering. Still, after all, despite his pretensions and his grand marriage, he's naught but the bastard brat of a Scotch peddler. One must make allowances.'

Joseph looked startled at this bald mention of a fact, known to everyone, but never referred to, and Theo cried nervously: 'Father, hush! You speak too strongly,' astonished that Aaron had been betrayed into a speech so unlike him.

Aaron laughed. 'You're right, my dear. I accept the rebuke. One should never be vexed by trifles. The musicians have finally pulled themselves together into a semblance of a tune. I trust this means the play will soon start.'

The box beside them had been empty; now the door opened and a party of officers came in with a clattering of sabers and stamping of feet, jesting and swearing good-naturedly as they scuffled for the front bench. There were six or seven of them, Theo observed casually, hoping that they would quiet down in time for her to hear the first lines, for three loud knocks signaled the curtains' rise.

The first offering was The Grecian Daughter, with Mrs. Charlotte Mclmoth in the title rôle. Her charms were a thought mature for the part, but she was popular with the pit, who interrupted her frequently with bawdy compliments and huzzahs until the climax when the Grecian Daughter strikes to earth the tyrant who is about to kill her father; then the whole house paid the acting the tribute of silence, and a few feminine sobs were heard from the upper boxes.