MR. WATMUFF _Attached to the past_ FERDINAND SWIFT _His nephew, attached to fortune hunting_ WALTER LITHERLAND _Attached to Emily Watmuff_ MRS. WATMUFF _Attached to the memory of her parents_ EMILY _Her daughter, attached to Walter Litherland_ * * * * * COSTUMES.--Modern and appropriate. FREEZING A MOTHER-IN-LAW. SCENE.--MR. WATMUFF'S _library_. _Entrances_, R. _and_ L. _At_ L.C. _a door opening to a cupboard. At_ R. _table, with books and a bottle of water on it. A screen stands close to door_, R. WALTER LITHERLAND _and_ EMILY WATMUFF _discovered_. EMILY. And so we must part forever! WALTER. For the thirteenth time, my darling, I must, in reply to that remark of yours, say--I don't see why. EMILY. Ah! Walter, you do not know who rules this house. WALTER. I may be wrong, but I was always under the impression that your mother did. EMILY. Ah! then you do know. I was afraid you would think that my poor father was the master of it. WALTER. I know that the house is let to your father; but I confess, my dearest, that I have observed that he has sub-let himself to your respected mother. EMILY. And she has declared that she will _never_ give her consent to our engagement. WALTER. But your father has given his, and that is a great point gained. EMILY. It may be a great point, but it is a very useless one. Mamma always has her own way. She pronounced her decision this morning, and when you quit the house to-day orders will be given that you are never allowed to enter it again. WALTER. Then clearly I must not quit it. I am a great believer in diplomacy, Emily. To go at the present time directly against your revered mother's will would be utterly to lose you; to lose you, my darling, would be far more than to lose my life; therefore, I have determined to humor your respected parent, until the fortunes of war give me an opportunity of ingratiating myself with her. Hush! She approaches. Now rely upon me, and in every way back me up. (_Enter_ MRS. WATMUFF, _door_ L.) MRS. W. (_glaring indignantly at_ WALTER). Still here, sir! I thought that you had been instructed by my husband to quit these premises. WALTER. Madam, I am much to blame. That the wishes expressed, I am sure, after mature deliberation, of Mr. Watmuff and yourself, have been communicated to me, I cannot deny--and yet--I linger here. MRS. W. Linger no longer, sir; but obey our behest. WALTER. I am, madam, about to do so; but since this interview with my dear Emily must be my last-- MRS. W. _Your_ dear Emily! By what right, sir, do you speak of my daughter as _your_ dear Emily? EMILY. Because, mamma, I have consented-- MRS. W. How, girl! This to my face? To your chamber, miss. WALTER. Again, madam, I have to own myself in the wrong. It is _your_ dear Emily to whom I have come to bid a long farewell.