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By Charles Reade: Triplet

Sir Charles Pomander did not at all relish the turn affairs had taken. He had planned many schemes to win Peg's affection, and when he witnessed the triumph of one he regarded as a rank outsider his love turned to hate. He endeavored insidiously to poison Vane's mind with stories of Peg Woffington's past life, and on one occasion he was nearly successful. James Triplet, a hanger-on at Covent Garden, was recognized by Peg as one who had befriended her in the early days of poverty. Triplet was a playwright and scenepainter, and to give him assistance Peg offered him a commission to paint her portrait. Peg's visits to Triplet's studio were told by Sir Charles to Vane, as evidences of Peg's faithlessness, but the falsity of the charges was soon proved and Vane's infatuation was stronger than ever. Sir Charles had almost abandoned hope of defeating his rival until one day, when returning to London from the country, he gave assistance to a woman whose coach had become disabled. The beauty of the lady so impressed Sir Charles that he sent his servant to learn her identity, and the man brought back word that she was Mrs. Ernest Vane. A deadly weapon was thus placed in Sir Charles's hands, but he refrained from making public his information until the proper moment. A banquet had been arranged by Mr. Vane in honor of Peg Woffington, and Sir Charles managed to have Mrs. Vane appear when the festivities were at their height. His scheme was successful and the effect of Mrs. Vane's advent was electric. Mr. Vane, not knowing that his wife was in town, was filled with consternation, but Peg's tact did not desert her even in this trying moment and she introduced those present as members of the nobility. Mrs. Vane was not suspicious and accepted the situation in good faith, but Triplet, who had brought verses in honor of Miss Woffington and being unaware of Mrs. Vane's identity, revealed the true facts and the wife was heartbroken at her husband's inconstancy.

As for Peg, she was furious at the deception placed upon her. She fully believed that Mr. Vane was free to woo her, and then in a moment her dreams were rudely shattered and her faith in mankind destroyed. She determined to take desperate revenge. She would keep Vane at her side in spite of the wife, and then, when he was firmly in her toils, she would publicly discard him. Filled with these thoughts, she went to Triplet's studio, where the portrait he had painted was to be exhibited.

The first glance showed the picture to be a wretched failure and even Triplet acknowledged his defeat. But there was no time to lose, for the critics were already approaching the studio. Peg, with a sudden inspiration, cut the face from the portrait and, having arranged the draperies so that her body would be concealed, she placed her own features in the aperture. The comments of the connoisseurs were ludicrous, some declaring there was not the slightest resemblance to the original, others that the flesh tints were imperfect, and still others that the drawing was out of all proportions. When the opinions had been expressed, Peg came from behind the easel and expressed her views in true Milesian manner.

Peg remained after the others had departed and told Triplet of her intentions toward Mr. Vane. Unexpectedly Mrs. Vane knocked at the door of the studio. She had been followed by Sir Charles Pomander and had sought refuge from his attentions. Peg had no desire to meet Mrs. Vane, but there was not sufficient time to escape, so once more she went behind the easel and placed her face in the portrait. Mrs. Vane, after explaining her presence, noticed the picture and exclaimed: "You are a great artist, Mr. Triplet; the likeness actually breathes. Oh, that she were here, instead of this wonderful image of her. I would speak to her. I am not wise or learned, but orators never pleaded as I would plead to her for my Ernest's heart."

She paused for a moment, and then, addressing the picture, she continued: "Oh yes, you are beautiful, you are gifted, and the eyes of thousands wait on your every word and look. What wonder that he, ardent, refined, and genial, should lay his heart at your feet. I cannot take him from you, but, oh, be generous to the weak and give him back to me! Give him back to me, beautiful, terrible woman and I will love you longer than men can love!" Suddenly she started back with a wild scream. "It is alive!" she cried, and, running to Triplet, hid her face on his shoulder.

For Peg had been so affected by the piteous appeal of the heart-broken woman that with all her self-control she could not check the tears which coursed down her cheeks. Peg ordered Triplet to leave the room, and when the two women were alone Peg turned to Mrs. Vane and said, calmly: "I trust, madam, you will do me the justice to believe I did not know Mr. Vane was married?" "I am sure of it," replied Mrs. Vane. "You are as good as you are gifted." Peg then promised to so degrade herself in Vane's eyes that he would leave her in disgust, but to this plan Mrs. Vane refused to agree. Finally Peg arrayed herself in Mrs. Vane's cloak and hood, threw a note from the window to Sir Charles, who was waiting below, which she knew would bring that worthy into the room, and then despatched Triplet to summon Mr. Vane to the studio, Mrs. Vane concealing herself in an adjoining apartment. Sir Charles responded to the summons immediately, and in a moment was making violent love to Peg, whom he mistook for Mrs. Vane.

In the height of a most impassioned scene Vane entered and made the same error as did Sir Charles. Swords were drawn, but Peg disclosed herself before matters became serious. The thought that his wife was beloved by another produced such a shock to Mr. Vane that he realized he still loved her and the two departed together, leaving Peg with her unhappy thoughts. Peg Woffington never recovered from this episode. She plunged once more into her work, but life had lost all its interest. She did not remain long on the stage, but retired to private life and devoted herself to charity, Mr. and Mrs. Vane being her stanch friends while she lived. Her grave in the little churchyard of Teddington, England, is the Mecca of thousands who pay tribute to the memory of the actress and the woman.