COL. She'd accept it? Well, I'm glad she's coming to her senses at last; and I shall go away all the more comfortable in my mind. MRS. T. Go away? COL. Yes. I'm off back again to Cheltenham. Touch of gout--liver queer; besides, my work here is done. Your husband's affairs, which I confess appeared to me at first sight to be in a state of hopeless confusion, are now clearly and satisfactorily arranged, thanks to my young colleague, Harry Barton, who, I must say, worked like a nigger over them. By-the-bye, he's another victim to Miss Julia's caprice and fastidiousness--she actually snubbed the poor fellow before she'd time even to look at him, much less know him. MRS. T. Well, you'll confess he bears his disappointment with becoming resignation (_satirically_). COL. Yes, he's getting used to it, like the eels. He doesn't see the use of crying over spilt milk. By-the-bye, there's another matter of five thousand pounds coming to the girls out of the Hampshire property. But Barton will give you all the particulars. MRS. T. I'm sure, cousin, I feel deeply indebted to you. COL. Not half as much as you _ought_ to feel to Harry Barton. Hasn't he been here twice a week for the last month, up to his elbows in leases, loans, mortgages, and the deuce knows what? Oh! here he comes. _Enter HARRY BARTON at C., a roll of papers under his arm, a lawyer's blue bag in his hand, which he deposits on chair._ BART. (_bowing to MRS. TEMPLETON_). Your servant, madam. (_To COLONEL._) Ah! my dear colonel, I hope you're well. But perhaps I ought to apologize for entering unannounced. You may be engaged? MRS. T. Not at all. I am aware, Mr. Barton, how deeply I am in your debt; but now that the business which served as your first introduction here is satisfactorily concluded, pray remember my house is open to you as before (_BARTON bows_). You will kindly excuse me now--a few orders to give (_courtesies and exit L. H.; at the same moment the door at R. H. opens and JOSEPHINE peeps in_). JOSEPHINE. Is the coast clear? (_watching MRS. TEMPLETON as she goes out_). She's gone at last (_runs in_). BART. (_meeting her_). Jo, dear Jo (_taking her hand, which he is about to kiss_). JOSEPHINE. Wait a minute! (_looking after MRS. TEMPLETON_). She's quite disappeared; _now_ you may! (_holding out her hand to BARTON, who kisses it_). And now (_turning to COLONEL_), you dear, good, kind old uncle. Uncle is it, or cousin? I never know which. COL. Don't you? It's simple enough. Your mother's elder brother's second--never mind. Call me uncle. JOSEPHINE. Well? Have you spoken to Aunt Martha? BART. Yes. Have you broken the ice? COL. Cracked it, that's all! JOSEPHINE. And what was the result? Did she consent or not? BART. Did she say yes or no? JOSEPHINE. Why don't you speak? (_impatiently_). BART. Why don't you say something? (_ditto_).