ALPH. (_With his back against door._) Not if I know it! What should I do with a live dead statue. (_As he is saying this Venus goes to back of shop, and reappears in shop by aid of the vampire. Alphonzo does not see her for a moment._) I wonder if it's gone? I'll just take a peep through the window. (_He crosses over, not seeing Venus. He gets by fireplace, when he suddenly sees her. He is so startled he half falls into fireplace, in doing so he grabs hold of the end of table and his trousers catch fire (trick), sits on chair and it goes out. Business._) Hair cut or shampoo? I must say something to show I'm not frightened. It won't answer! Say something or I shall go off my dot! VENUS. You do not know me? ALPH. No, mum; you've the advantage of me. Have you got a card? VENUS. I am Venus! I have many names in the outer world! It is I who rule the God of Love, I sway the hearts of all true lovers; in your world I have caused you poor mortals to burn for me--aye, and with an unconsuming, unquenchable fire! ALPH. Lor', you're a bit of a hot 'un! VENUS. Hot 'un! You speak in enigmas? You are fully aware why I come hither? ALPH. I don't. You are the statue out of them gardens, ain't you? VENUS. I am no statue--I am Venus, I tell you! I have lain in a long, long trance, how long I know not, in my own palace in the Isle of Cyprus. How long I should have lain in that trance I know not had it not been for thou, most lovely mortal! ALPH. (_Aside._) She knows me. VENUS. Yes; it was the touch of your kind mortal hand that has given me power to animate this marble shell! ALPH. (_Aside._) She says she's a shell. I wonder what kind of shell--p'raps a whelk shell! VENUS. 'Twas you who placed the magic ring on my fingers, do I speak truly? ALPH. (_Delighted._) Quite right, mum! (_Aside._) I wish I knew her proper name. (_Aloud._) I'm sure it's very kind of you to take all the trouble of walking here from those gardens to give it me. You shall go back in a hansom. VENUS. And you think it was just to give you back this paltry ring I came? Think you it was for only this have I visited the face of the earth, and followed you to your palace? You are too modest! What is thy name? ALPH. Latherum--Alphonzo Latherum, hairdresser--hair cutting three pence, shaving a penny! VENUS. Alphonzo, happiness is yours! You have awakened me from my trance. Cast away all thy fears. You put the ring on my finger. I accept your offering--I am thine, and you, my hero, are mine! ALPH. You're making a big mistake. I did not mean anything when I put that ring on your finger. The fact is I was a little boozed. VENUS. Boozed! Is he a god? ALPH. Not quite; though sometimes it is a spirit. VENUS. Come, Alphonzo--come, join me in my aerial flight to the regions far beyond these lowly worlds! ALPH. You'll excuse--I can't, I've made other arrangements. I am already engaged! I've got a girl! VENUS. I remember a bright-eyed mortal in the gardens. Is she your love? ALPH. Yes.