The author played a part in his piece.

Though it is only a society play, it was a great success.

I doubt, however, whether it would be successful at the theatre, but it is the work of a clever man and no ordinary man.

I do not quite know, though, whether it is what I saw of the author or of the piece that made me think so.

He is complimentary without being polite, or at least without having the air of it.