Then you don't have much chance of getting accustomed to it. You look very well. COX. Yes. I could have taken that glass with impunity. It was my eighteenth tumbler. BOX. Then I'm safe. I began with the eighteenth. Aha! I shall smoke a cigar and read the paper. COX (_aside_). The paper! BOX. Don't stop for me. (_Aside_) I wonder if he's seen the news. COX (_aside_). He mustn't know she's here. He's got it. (_Seeing BOX reading the paper._) Would you allow me to look at the paper? BOX. There's nothing in it. COX (_coming up to table and putting his hand suddenly down on it_). Sir! BOX (_taking no notice_). Come in. COX. No, sir, I shall not come in. I'm going to come out, sir, and come out pretty strongly too. (_Suddenly pathetic_) Box, my boy-- BOX (_the same_). Cox, my boy. (_Turns and allows the smoke of his pipe to come under COX'S nose just as COX is attempting to take the paper._) COX (_sneezing_). Excuse my emotion (_sneezes_). BOX. It does honour to your head and heart--specially to your head. (_Offers his pocket-handkerchief._) COX. Thank you. I can't forget that we were once brothers. BOX. We were. COX. We had no secrets from each other. At least you had none from me, had you? BOX. No, not unless you had any from me. COX. Then I will confide in you. I don't mind telling you-- BOX. I have no objection to inform you-- COX. That I am-- BOX. So am I-- COX. Here-- BOX. Exactly my case-- COX. To marry-- BOX. Yes, to espouse-- COX. Eh? BOX. It's the same thing. COX. Oh. To marry Penelope Anne. BOX. Penelope Anne! So am I! COX. You! BOX. I. COX. Then, Box, I'm sorry for you. You've no chance. Go. BOX. On the contrary, Cox, as there can't be the smallest possibility of your being accepted, it's for you to retire. _Allez._ COX. I shan't allez. BOX. No more shall I. COX. Mr. Box, since we last met, circumstances have changed. You no longer speak to a gentleman-- BOX. You needn't explain _that_-- COX. I say, to a gentleman connected with the Hatting interest. _No_, my family solicitor discovered that my great grandfather had been a Venetian Count, or a Margrave, or a Hargrave, or a something of that sort, and that therefore my proper title was Count Cox The Landgrave. BOX. The _Landgrave_--you might as well be a tombstone at once. COX. I am serious. I have come over to mix pleasure with business, and to offer to Penelope Anne the hand of The Landgrave, or of the Venetian Count. So yield to the aristocracy; and, Printer, withdraw. BOX. Excuse me, Cox, but since our parting I have discovered that in my veins flows the blue blood of the Hidal_gos_-- COX. How many "goes"? BOX. Don't be profane--of the Hidalgos of Spain. I have already assumed half the title. The rest will be sent on to me in a few days, and I am here to offer to Penelope Anne the hand and coronet of Don José John de Boxos y Caballeros y Regalias de Salamanca. _Fuego_, as we say in Spain, _Fuego_.