COL. How the deuce can I, when you won't let me get in a word edgeways? Well, then, my poor young friends, sorry I've no good news for you; the old story over again--Miss Julia stops the way. BART. And yet Mrs. Templeton's pressing invitation to me to visit at her house-- COL. Is easily explained. She doesn't even suspect that your affections have been transferred from her elder to her younger niece. JOSEPHINE. Then you should have told her--then there would have been an explosion! COL. Yes, which would have blown Master Harry clean out of the street door! No, no! don't despair; Julia will find a husband--sooner or later! JOSEPHINE. Sooner or later? But what am _I_ to do in the mean time? BART. Yes! what are _we_ to do in the mean time? JOSEPHINE. I'm sure she's had plenty of offers; but one was too young--another was too old--one was too rich--another wasn't rich enough; even poor Harry here, though he followed her about like her shadow, and I'm sure made himself sufficiently ridiculous--even _he_ wasn't good enough for her ladyship! It's downright absurd being so particular. I'm sure _I_ wasn't! BART. No, dear Jo! _you_ took pity on me at once. JOSEPHINE. No, not _quite_ at once. I didn't _jump_ at you. But what--what is to be done? COL. Have patience! JOSEPHINE. Patience? _Haven't_ I been patient for the last five weeks? BART. Five weeks and three days! JOSEPHINE. Five weeks and three days! (_suddenly_). Oh! such an idea! such a capital notion! Listen. Julia must find a husband, or a husband must be found for Julia--that's a settled point. COL. } } (_together_). Quite so! BART. } JOSEPHINE. Well, then, as she sets her face against a _young_ one-- COL. Yes; as she sets her face against a young one-- JOSEPHINE. And turns up her nose at a handsome one-- COL. And turns up her nose at a handsome one-- JOSEPHINE. She might find _you_ more to her taste! (_to COLONEL_). COL. She might find me more to her-- (_Seeing JOSEPHINE laughing._) So, Miss Saucy one, you're poking fun at me, are you? Then you'll be good enough to find another victim--I mean another admirer, for Miss Julia! Egad, I must make haste and pack up, or I shall lose my train! Come along with me, little one! Good-by, Barton! Keep up your spirits! Recollect you've still got _me!_ JOSEPHINE. And _me,_ Harry. Not yet, but you _will!_ [_Exeunt COLONEL and JOSEPHINE at door R. H._