[_Snapping his fingers close to BOX'S face._ BOX. An insult! to my very face--under my very nose! [_Rubbing it._] You know the consequences, sir--instant satisfaction, sir! COX. With all my heart, sir! [_They go to the fire-place, R., and begin ringing bells violently, and pull down bell-pulls._ BOTH. Mrs. Bouncer! Mrs. Bouncer! _MRS. BOUNCER runs in, L. C._ MRS. B. What is it, gentlemen? BOX. Pistols for two! MRS. B. Yes, sir [_Going._ COX. Stop! You don't mean to say, thoughtless and imprudent woman, that you keep loaded fire-arms in the house? MRS. B. Oh no--they're not loaded. COX. Then produce the murderous weapons instantly! [_Exit MRS. BOUNCER, L. C._ BOX. I say, sir! COX. Well, sir? BOX. What's your opinion of duelling, sir? COX. I think it's a barbarous practice, sir. BOX. So do I, sir. To be sure, I don't so much object to it when the pistols are not loaded. COX. No: I dare say that _does_ make some difference. BOX. And yet, sir--on the other hand--doesn't it strike you as rather a waste of time, for two people to keep firing pistols at one another, with nothing in 'em? COX. No, sir--not more than any other harmless recreation. BOX. Hark ye! Why do you object to marry Penelope Ann? COX. Because, as I've observed already, I can't abide her. You'll be very happy with her. BOX. Happy! Me! With the consciousness that I have deprived _you_ of such a treasure? No, no, Cox! COX. Don't think of me, Box--I shall be sufficiently rewarded by the knowledge of my Box's happiness. BOX. Don't be absurd, sir! COX. Then don't you be ridiculous, sir! BOX. I won't have her! COX. I won't have her! BOX. I have it! Suppose we draw lots for the lady--eh, Mr. Cox? COX. That's fair enough, Mr. Box. BOX. Or, what say you to dice? COX. With all my heart! Dice, by all means--[_Eagerly._] BOX. [_Aside._] That's lucky! Mrs. Bouncer's nephew left a pair here yesterday. He sometimes persuades me to have a throw for a trifle, and as he always throws sixes, I suspect they are good ones. [_Goes to the cupboard at R., and brings out the dice-box._ COX. [_Aside._] I've no objection at all to dice. I lost one pound, seventeen and sixpence, at last Barnet Races, to a very gentlemanly looking man, who had a most peculiar knack of throwing sixes; I suspected they were loaded, so I gave him another half-crown, and he gave me the dice. [_Takes dice out of his pocket--uses lucifer box as substitute for dice-box, which is on table._ BOX. Now then, sir! COX. I'm ready, sir! [_They seat themselves at opposite sides of the table._] Will you lead off, sir? BOX. As you please, sir. The lowest throw, of course, wins Penelope Ann? COX. Of course, sir. BOX. Very well, sir! COX. Very well, sir! BOX. [_Rattling dice and throwing._] Sixes! COX. That's not a bad throw of yours, sir. [_Rattling dice--throws._] Sixes! BOX. That's a pretty good one of your's, sir. [_Throws._] Sixes! COX. [_Throws._] Sixes! BOX. Sixes! COX. Sixes! BOX. Sixes!