BART. We should have met earlier, no doubt, but for my friend's lengthened absence in Italy (_significantly to ROYSTON_). ROYS. Yes. Ah! charming country--for those who don't mind the cold! (_On a sign from BARTON._) I mean the heat! MRS. T. (_aside and looking at ROYSTON_). Really a vastly agreeable young man! _Enter COLONEL at R. H._ COL. So Royston has arrived, has he? (_Seeing BASIL._) Heyday! why, this is Basil--his younger brother! ROYS. At your service, colonel. MRS. T. You are acquainted, then? COL. I was intimate with his mother's family--indeed, I may say I was the means of getting him a nomination to the Blue Coat school. BART. (_aside_). This is deuced awkward! MRS. T. The Blue Coat school? I thought you said Tunbridge Wells? ROYS. (_recollecting_). Yes; that was before--I mean after-- COL. (_aside and suspiciously_). I suspect these young fellows are playing some little game of their own; and, what's more, I can pretty well guess what it is! MRS. T. (_aside to COLONEL_). As Mr. Royston is an entire stranger to me, may I ask you, Cousin Samuel, what is the opinion you have formed of him? COL. Oh! a very charming young man, indeed! Most respectable family! an ample income already, with great expectations from a couple of aunts and a godmother! A little wild at present, perhaps, but he'll soon settle down when he's _married!_ Ah! happy the woman who makes a conquest of such a man! (_Aside._) There! now _I'm_ in the conspiracy too! MRS. T. (_to ROYSTON_). Your friend Mr. Barton does not leave here till to-morrow; you, I hope, will also defer your departure till then? BART. (_quickly to ROYSTON_). Of course you will! (_To MRS. T._) Of course he will! (_To ROYSTON._) You'll be only too delighted! (_To MRS. T._) He'll be only too delighted! MRS. T. Ah! here's my niece! (_going up to meet JULIA, who enters at C._). ROYS. (_seeing JOSEPHINE, who at the same moment enters at R. H._). Look! what a charming creature! BART. No, no! it isn't she! it's the other! Look there! (_pointing to JULIA_). There's a figure! there's a symmetry! Look at those finely-chiselled features! ROYS. Yes, yes! but still, in my opinion (_looking admiringly at JOSEPHINE_)-- BART. Your opinion, indeed! Pshaw! what do you know about it? JOSEPHINE (_aside to COLONEL, and pointing to ROYSTON_). What! has Harry found somebody already? MRS. T. Julia, my dear, allow me to present Mr. Royston, an old friend of Mr. Barton's (_JULIA courtesies stiffly to ROYSTON_). BART. (_to ROYSTON_). There's a courtesy! that's what I call a courtesy! ROYS. Yes! but, as I said before, of the two I prefer (_looking at JOSEPHINE_)-- BART. You prefer, indeed! Surely I must know better than you! (_To JULIA._) My friend Royston, a distinguished amateur of the fine arts, is in raptures with your sketches, Miss Julia. (_JULIA courtesies stiffly again._) JOSEPHINE (_to JULIA_). Why don't you thank Mr. Royston, sister?