GREEN. Where is she? Gone! I should not wonder if I had killed her; I know my brutal conduct has broken her fragile heart; she could never survive my base desertion--never! She has perished like a tender flower, and I--wretch!--I've assassinated an angel. Ha! where's my tempter? Where's the Countess--the destroyer of my happiness? She must instantly release me from this horrible compact. I can bear a great deal, but my constitution is sinking rapidly under two wives. (_goes into room R., calls inside_) Countess! I beg your pardon--hey, Countess! Where can she be? Countess! She's gone. (_re-enter from room_) She's certainly not there. Now, if I could take advantage of her absence, to speak a few words to the original Mrs. G., if the poor thing still survives. That's her room--I'll venture at all hazards. (_goes to door L., taps and calls in a suppressed voice_) Maria Jane! Maria Jane! hist! (_taps_) Mrs. G., my dear--eh? 'Tis me, my dear--your loving Greenfinch. (_taps_) Hist! Maria Jane! She don't hear me, or she won't answer. (_taps_) Mrs. G.! Maria Jane! 'Tis your unfortunate Greenfinch. _Enter BETSY, from room, L. 2 E._ BETSY. Well, sir, what may you want? GREEN. Hush! don't speak so loud. Is your mistress in her room? BETSY. I'm not sure--can't be certain till I ask her. GREEN. I must speak with her instantly. BETSY. What name shall I say? GREEN. Name? Is the woman mad? Go and tell her I'm come to explain all. BETSY. All what, sir? GREEN. All, all--she knows--you know. BETSY. Can't say I do, sir--I'm sure I never set eyes on your face before. GREEN. Pooh, pooh! don't be stupid--let me pass--I must speak with my wife. BETSY. Your wife! (_opposing him_) A pretty imperent fellow you are! Your wife, indeed! Keep your distance--I don't allow these liberties. GREEN. But, my Betsy. BETSY. Your Betsy! Come, I like that. I'd have you to know, sir, my name's Elizabeth. GREEN. Never mind your name--I must go in. BETSY. Oh, very well; if you must, you must; but, mind, I tell you, my mistress is not alone. GREEN. Hey? What do you say? Not alone? Who has she with her? BETSY. Who should she have, but a gentleman? GREEN. Stop, stop--my wife--a gentleman!--in her room--there--and I her husband--here--what does it mean? Hah! a horrid suspicion fills my mind--o--oh! my head! BETSY. I thought so. I see you're dreadfully intoxicated; you'd better go to bed--do! You'll be ashamed of yourself in the morning. I never see a gentleman so drunk in my life--never! Go to bed, I advise you. GREEN. Go to the devil! I'll penetrate this horrid mystery, and know the worst at once. BETSY. Then you may depend on having your bones broken. GREEN. Bones! I have no bones. I'm all iron--adamant. I'll find this villain--this unknown destroyer of my peace. Who is he? what is he? BETSY. Here he is, sir, to answer for himself. GREEN. Hoh! _Enter MRS. GREENFINCH, L. 2 E., dressed in fashionable male attire._