GREEN. This is what I call a tremendous situation. Deny my wife, and such a wife as Mrs. G.: a woman that won't be denied. How shall I ever attempt it? And if I don't, there's the Countess prepared to shoot me through the head! Oh, dear! I must have some brandy to screw up my nerves. (_goes to a side table, pours brandy into a glass, and drinks_) Hah! that revives me and brings back my courage, which was sneaking away in spite of me. (_drinks_) There! nothing like brandy. (_MRS. G. is heard singing in room, L._) Hah! that's her voice--the voice of my wife--that's her high G, and that's her shake. I can't be mistaken in her shake, for it makes me shiver all over. Brandy! (_drinks_) Hah! I must be stern and resolved--the Countess has her eye upon me, and my wife's coming. Never mind, I'm prepared for the worst. More brandy! (_drinks_) I feel myself growing desperately profligate--I'm becoming a brick. (_drinks_) I don't care a straw for the world in general, nor for Mrs. G. in particular. Here she comes! _Enter BETSY, 2 E. L._ No, it's only her maid Betsy. BETSY. La! it surely never can be my master! Why, Mr. Greenfinch, sir--bless me! who could have thought of meeting you? Well, this will be a surprise to missus! (_runs to L. 2 E., and speaks in_) Oh, mum, make haste, please! here's master--here he is, mum--he is, indeed--quite nat'ral, mum. _Enter MRS. GREENFINCH, 2 E. L., in her own attire, hastily._ MRS. G. Who? Your master, my dear Gregory? Ah! 'tis he, indeed! (_rushing to embrace him_) GREEN. He--hem! (_aside, and turning away_) She has me. MRS. G. (L.) Good heavens, Gregory! Why, Gregory! Mister Greenfinch, don't you know me? GREEN. (C.) A--a--hum! I haven't the pleasure of your acquaintance, ma'am. MRS. G. What, sir? Don't know me? BETSY. (L.) Nor me, sir? GREEN. I never saw either of you before in my life. BETSY. Well, if that's not audacious! GREEN. Don't be impertinent, young woman. BETSY. Oh, mum, he calls me a young woman! GREEN. (_aside_) More brandy. (_goes to table and drinks_) MRS. G. (_apart to BETSY_) Oh! Betsy, he's more depraved than I could have imagined. I know I shan't be able to keep my temper. GREEN. (_drinks, and aside_) I'm firmer now. MRS. G. (_confronting him_) Mr. Greenfinch! Sir! Will you look at me and repeat you don't know me? GREEN. (_uneasily_) Hem! ah! (_aside_) I feel the Countess has her eye upon me--I'm a dead man if I give way. (_to MRS. G._) I tell you I haven't the slightest knowledge of you. (_goes to table_) MRS. G. (_aside to BETSY_) This is going beyond a joke, Betsy--the man's quite serious--looks in my face and denies me. BETSY. Yes, mum; and means to stick to it. MRS. G. (_aside to BETSY_) Does he? Mr. Greenfinch! (_taking hold of him_) you'd better mind what you are doing--I'm not a woman to be trifled with. GREEN. (_aside_) I'm well aware of that; but now that I have the Countess at my back, I don't mind aggravating her. (_sings_) Toll, loll, de roll, loll, &c.