Do you? Then there's my hand, and when I've got my Castle in Spain you shall come and stop with me. (_Aside_) I'll have old Bouncer up before the Inquisition. COX. And when I've got my Palazzo di Coxo at Venice, you shall always find a knife and fork at your service. (_Aside_) I'll take him out for a walk by a canal and upset him. [_Enter WAITER with tray, which he puts down. Everything is placed ready for déjeûner à la fourchette._ WAITER. Das Frühstuck ist fertische. (_Applause._) ALL. Eh? WAITER. Break-a-fast. [_They sit._ BOX. Permit me-- COX. And me-- BOX. To propose-- COX. The health-- BOTH. Of the Happy Pair. Major and Mrs. Bouncer. Hip! hip! hip! Hurrah! BOX (_singing_). It's a way we have in the army. [_They all join in chorus._ SOLOS AND CHORUS. ("_Ha, ha!_" "_Les Dames de la Halle._") BOX. I drink the health of Madame Bouncer, And of the Major Bouncer, too! SOPRANO ET TENOR. Too too too too too too too! BASSI. Too too too too too too too! COX. Of his foes he is a trouncer, Equal to any Horse Guard Blue. ALL. Blue, &c. (_as before_). BOX. All our jealousy we smother From this happy bridal day. COX. We'll embrace him like a brother BOX. And a sister--if I may! PENELOPE ANNE. Ah! BOX AND COX (_together_). Viva, Viva Rataplan! Oh! Rataplan Penelope Anne, Oh! Rataplan Penelope-ĕlŏpĕ Anne, Anne, Anne! CHORUS (_including the WAITER, all at table standing up, glasses in hand convivially_). Viva, viva Rataplan! Oh! Rataplan Penelope Anne! Oh! Rataplan Penelope-ĕlŏpĕ Anne, Anne, Anne! Tableau.--_BOUNCER on chair, with dish-cover and carving-knife. WAITER at side, waving napkin. PENELOPE between COX and BOX in centre._ _Curtain descends._ [Illustration: "AUTHOR! AUTHOR!"] CHAPTER XXIII. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE, CONVERSATION COMMENCES. "Your wife played charmingly, Mr. Frimmely." Mr. Frimmely smiles, and tries to look as if the merit of her acting was due entirely to his instruction. _Madame Regniati._ I don't suppose you chose her dress for her. _Mr. Orby Frimmely_ (_still as if he HAD done so, but allowed her the credit of it_). No, no; Mrs. Frimmely has a great taste for theatricals. _Miss Adelaide Cherton_ (_to Miss Medford_). Oh, I am sure we ought to be so much obliged to you for playing. _Miss Ada._ Oh, it was so good. I really wonder how you could manage to accompany them as you did. _Miss Medford_ (_quite unaffectedly_). I am so glad I was able to do it, as I've only been accustomed to play to my brother's singing, that is when he doesn't do it himself.