VENUS. How could you dare to imprison me in that narrow tomb? I thought I was buried beneath the soil. And had it been so I would have caused this city to be in one vast ruin--an earthquake. ALPH. (_Aside._) I won't hurry her! Look here, if you're as fond of me as you say you are, you'd go back to your place in the gardens, where you've been stolen from. The police are looking everywhere for you. VENUS. He is good, this police. If I see him I'll reward him. ALPH. There's a good many "hims" in the police, and I tell you what it is, if you don't give up that ring I'll have you locked up, by George I will! VENUS. I know no George, nor will it profit you to call on him. I will go forth into the world and see the people of this city--and you must take me! ALPH. Not much. VENUS. I will follow you everywhere, and should anyone ask who and what I am, you must say I am now betrothed to Venus. Then among the mortals you will be blameless. ALPH. Blameless? What would Jane say? VENUS. Ah, you have revealed your love's name! I have but to ask in your streets, where does Jane, the lover of Alphonzo, live, lead me there; and, having arrived at her dwelling, she shall die! ALPH. But, look here, there's thousands of Janes in London. VENUS. That being the case I shall kill them all! ALPH. Why? VENUS. Because, dissipated youth, you love them all! ALPH. (_Aside._) If she could only see me shaving people, p'raps she'd become disgusted, and leave me! I'll try it! (_Aloud._) If you only saw me at my trade, a barbering, you'd see what a mistake you were making. VENUS. I will see you at your toil. Barb at once. ALPH. Wait till I get a customer. I do my business in this shop. VENUS. Then, I will wait and watch you. ALPH. Do you want to ruin my trade? VENUS. I will make no sign or movement; but I will see you at your daily toil. I have said it! Obey me! ALPH. (_Aside._) All right! I'll put her in a corner. No one would think but she is one of my fixtures. VENUS. Place me where I may behold thee at thy toil. ALPH. All right! Get up in this corner, and I'll just pop this haircutting cloth over you. (_He does so._) If she can once get it into her marble head I'm a barber and keep a shop, I think she will turn up her nose at me, and then she'll give me back that ring. _Enter AUGUSTUS, R. U. E. Enters shop._ AUG. Good morning, old fellow! I feel a little chippie this morning. (_Sits in chair._) I wish I didn't drink so much, don't you know! Last night I had a fearful time after going to the Alhambra. (_Alphonzo begins lathering him._) They've got a beautiful ballet there now. There's a charming little girl there, who plays one of Venus's doves. I was mashed on her in a minute, and I pride myself I mashed her too--she's dead gone! VENUS. Traitor! (_Business.--Alphonzo so frightened, he pushes brush in Augustus's mouth. Augustus is also very frightened._) AUG. I could swear I saw that statue move! Look it's shaking its fists at me!