BOX. No, _yours!_ However, it's perfectly immaterial--but she unquestionably was yours. COX. How can that be? You proposed to her first! BOX. Yes, but then you--now don't let us begin again--Go on. COX. [_Resuming letter._] "Poor Mrs. Wiggins went out for a short excursion in a sailing boat--a sudden and violent squall soon after took place, which, it is supposed, upset her, as she was found, two days afterwards, keel upwards." BOX. Poor woman! COX. The boat, sir! [_Reading._] "As her man of business, I immediately proceeded to examine her papers, amongst which I soon discovered her will; the following extract from which will, I have no doubt, be satisfactory to you. 'I hereby bequeath my entire property to my intended husband.'" Excellent, but unhappy creature! [_Affected._] BOX. Generous, ill-fated being! [_Affected._] COX. And to think that I tossed up for such a woman! BOX. When I remember that I staked such a treasure on the hazard of a die! COX. I'm sure, Mr. Box, I can't sufficiently thank you for your sympathy. BOX. And I'm sure, Mr. Cox, you couldn't feel more, if she had been your own intended! COX. _If_ she'd been _my own_ intended? She _was_ my own intended! BOX. _Your_ intended? Come, I like that! Didn't you very properly observe just now, sir, that I proposed to her first? COX. To which you very sensibly replied, that you'd come to an untimely end. BOX. I deny it! COX. I say you have! BOX. The fortune's mine! COX. Mine! BOX. I'll have it! COX. So will I! BOX. I'll go to law! COX. So will I! BOX. Stop--a thought strikes me. Instead of going to law about the property, suppose we divide it. COX. Equally? BOX. Equally. I'll take two thirds. COX. That's fair enough--and I'll take three-fourths. BOX. That won't do. Half and half! COX. Agreed! There's my hand upon it---- BOX. And mine. [_About to shake hands--a Postman's knock heard at street door._ COX. Holloa! Postman again! BOX. Postman yesterday--postman to-day.-- _Enter MRS. BOUNCER._ MRS. B. Another letter, Mr. Cox--twopence more! COX. I forgive you again! [_Taking letter._] Another trifle from Margate. [_Opens the letter--starts._] Goodness gracious! BOX. [_Snatching letter--starts._] Gracious goodness! COX. [_Snatching letter again--reads._] "Happy to inform you--false alarm"-- BOX. [_Overlooking._] "Sudden squall--boat upset--Mrs. Wiggins, your intended"-- COX. "Picked up by a steamboat"-- BOX. "Carried into Boulogne"-- COX. "Returned here this morning"-- BOX. "Will start by early train, to-morrow"-- COX. "And be with you at ten o'clock, exact." [_Both simultaneously pull out their watches._ BOX. Cox, I congratulate you-- COX. Box, I give you joy! BOX. I'm sorry that most important business of the Colonial Office will prevent my witnessing the truly happy meeting between you and your intended. Good-morning! [_Going._