The autumn season usually brings us a good supply of new plays but rarely has any season provided us with a greater treat than The Adventure of Lady Ursula, which commenced what promises to be a most Fihentre on Wedneeday evening. At the prosperous career at the Duke of York's close of the performance Mr. Anthony Hope, the author, was called and ro-called many times by a most enthusiastic audience, the actors and actresses having previously received a like ovation. The plot is not entirely new, still it is well worked out and sufficiently novel to be interesting.
Lady Ursula Barrington, a young headstrong girl, has made a wager with her cousin that she will by stratagem gain admission to the house of a baronet, Sir George Sylvester, well-known woman-hater, With this end in view she goes for a walk accompanied by a trusted manservant and feigns faintness when near his lordship's house. The henchman rings the bell and demands admission for his mistress who wishes to rest until the attack of faintness has passed away. Sir George offers wine or other refreshments but declines permission for her to enter and suggests that she shall rest at the jerter's lodge. At this juncture her other the Earl of Hassenden chances to pass ana hearing what has happened considers his sister has been insulted anda duel is arranged. At this Lady Ursula is distracted and confesses the truth to her brother who nevertheless does not waver in his determination to fight. Seeing she cannot move him, the headstrong young lady determines to' see. the baronet again and plead with him. Knowing that she has no chance of gaining admission in woman's attire she decides to personate her younger brother who is away in France. She gains her end and the duel is averted. Next, in thesame garb she goes up to London to acquaint her brother the Earl with what she has done. He i away on guard but his companions(believing her to be a msn) insist on dragging her into his room—here Sir George follows her and pretends to pick a fresh quarrel though in reality he more than suspects who she is—she insists if they must fight it shall be at once with only the table between them and with one pistol only loaded " as Major Joicoy and McArthur fought in Dublin." The seconds agree and all is arranged—the awful word is given, but Sir George throws down his pistol and declines to proceed. After this matters gradually arrange themselves and all ends happily, not in marriage bells but with the evident prospect of marriage between the hero and heroine. As Lady Ursula, Miss Evelyn Millard is most charming. I might almost go further and say perfect, as I can conceive no better rendering of the part, no less good also is the Sir George Sylvester of Mr. Herbert Waring. The piece is. beautifully staged and a long run should be assured.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.