His salary was a hundred a week; better comedians have earned less.

On the present occasion he was in the midst of a double row of fashionable hats, and beneath the hats were the faces of fourteen feminine relatives and acquaintances.

These hats performed the function of 'dressing' the house.

The principal player endeavoured to behave as though under the illusion that he was alone in his glory, but he failed.
There were four other leading actors: Mr.Pennington, K.C., and Mr.
Vodrey, K.C., engaged by the plaintiff, and Mr.Cass, K.C., and Mr.
Crepitude, K.C., engaged by the defendant.

These artistes were the stars of their profession, nominally less glittering, but really far more glittering than the player in scarlet.