JOSEPHINE. Victim? It seems to me that _I'm_ the victim! Just as I thought I was going to be married and settled! (_beginning to sob; COLONEL tries to pacify her_). MRS. T. Married and settled, indeed! A child--a baby like you! (_To BARTON._) After what has occurred, sir, you will see that your further presence under this roof-- BART. (_bowing_). I fully understand, madam! MRS. T. (_to JOSEPHINE_). Come, miss, follow me! (_JOSEPHINE about to speak._) Not a word! It is for _me_ to speak, as you'll find I intend to do, and to some purpose. This way! (_making JOSEPHINE pass before her; she and JULIA follow her out at R. H._). COL. Wheugh! here's a pretty piece of business! BART. Not satisfied with rejecting me herself, she carries her prejudice, her hate so far as to-- COL. Hate? nonsense! (_Suddenly._) By Jove! I have it!--at least I think I have. What if she should feel a "sneaking kindness" for you, after all? BART. Pshaw! COL. But what about friend Royston? BART. Hang friend Royston! COL. With all my heart; but where the deuce is he? BART. Waiting somewhere or other to hear the result of my interview with Miss Templeton. COL. In which you undertook to plead his cause--eh? BART. Yes; and forgot all about it in my anxiety to plead my own! COL. What's that? Do you mean to say you confided to her the secret between you and Josephine? BART. Yes; trusting in her generous nature and her sisterly affection, I certainly _did!_ COL. And a pretty mess you've made of it! Well, I must find Royston and let him know. As for you, as you've received orders to march, the sooner you pack up and pack off the better! (_hurries out at C._). (_Door at R. H. opens, and JOSEPHINE peeps in._) JOSEPHINE. Harry! Are you alone?--quite alone? (_hurries forward_). BART. Yes. What is it? JOSEPHINE. Such a discovery! (_in a very mysterious tone_). She's got one! BART. She? Who? JOSEPHINE. Julia! BART. Got one? Got what? JOSEPHINE. A young man! shut up in a box! BART. In a box? JOSEPHINE. Listen. After being well scolded by Aunt Martha, I followed Julia to her room. There she was, with a little open box before her, out of which she took something, looked at it, then pressed her lips to it, and gave such a sigh!--you might have heard it here! perhaps you did? BART. Well? JOSEPHINE. Then aunt called her, and she hurried out of the room, leaving the box on the table; and then--then--somehow or other--here it is! (_producing a small casket_). It looks as if there was a young man inside--I mean a portrait--doesn't it? BART. You've not opened it? (_eagerly_). JOSEPHINE. No! That's for Aunt Martha to do! BART. Surely you would not betray your sister's secret--perhaps her happiness? JOSEPHINE. Much she cared about _mine,_ didn't she? Aunt Martha must and shall see it! (_going; BARTON stops her, the box falls on stage and opens_). There! there! how clumsy you are! BART. (_picks up the box, and then suddenly starting_). What do I see?