ROSALINE. In a--? Oh no, not in--. The subject is classical. HENRICH SCHERCL. Zo I understand (_he sighs_). ROSALINE (_sighing_). Ah! HENRICH SCHERCL. Why do you sigh? You are not happy? ROSALINE. Did I sigh? I was thinking. HENRICH SCHERCL (_sighing_). Heigho! ROSALINE. But now it is _you_ who sighs. Aren't _you_ happy? HENRICH SCHERCL. I alzo, I was thinking. ROSALINE. Of what? HENRICH SCHERCL. If I was to tell you, you would call me "sentimental old fool." ROSALINE. Not _old_. Never a _fool_. (_With sudden persuasiveness_.) _Tell_ me! HENRICH SCHERCL. I was thinking then, of you. ROSALINE. Of little me? What of me. HENRICH SCHERCL. I was wishing I was this Mr. Tempenny. ROSALINE. Why? (_Realising reason, and covering her face bashfully_.) Oh! HENRICH SCHERCL. I mean you go to him every day, and your zociety is very fascinating. That is all. ROSALINE. Of course, if you were Mr. Tempenny, you would see more of me. I should have said you would see me "_oftener_." HENRICH SCHERCL. Heigho! ROSALINE. Heigho! HENRICH SCHERCL. The little that I _have_ seen has made a great impression on me, Rosie--I shall never forget your face. ROSALINE. Really? HENRICH SCHERCL (_eagerly_). Yes, yes, really--it is true. ROSALINE. I am only a model, you know--a poor girl. HENRICH SCHERCL. You are a model of perfection. I zympathise with you. ROSALINE. You do not think the less of me because? HENRICH SCHERCL. I assure you I think of you the more. Nevertheless I do not like the idea. ROSALINE. And why? HENRICH SCHERCL. You must find it zo chilly in the winter. ROSALINE. I have got used to it. And besides I am fortunately of a warm temperament. The wind is tempered to the shorn lamb. HENRICH SCHERCL. I have not ever in my life seen a young lady who did make me feel for her the strange attraction that I feel for you, Rosie. I am jealous of this Mr. Tempenny. ROSALINE. Jealous! Do you mean you are in love with me? (_Aside_.) Oh, my goodness, what a joke! HENRICH SCHERCL. And if I did, would you laugh at me? Supposing I was to say to you--"Rosie, I would like to marry you," what would you answer? ROSALINE. Say it, and see. (_Aside_.) He's in earnest. I do believe. HENRICH SCHERCL. I am a very rich man. I could give you lots of such hats, and jewellery, and a big house. ROSALINE (_sentimentally_). I wish that you were poor. HENRICH SCHERCL (_in a fright_). No, no, for goodness sake, don't say that! Why? ROSALINE. You would not doubt my sincerity then. Now, you may think-- HENRICH SCHERCL. No, no, I do believe you. Do you care for me a little, Rosie? ROSALINE (_archly_). Perhaps I do--a little. No, you are making game of me! (_Turns up_.) HENRICH SCHERCL. I am not--I am not! I love you desperately. Rosie, will you be my wife. Say "yes" my darling. ROSALINE. Yes. Now you may kiss me. HENRICH SCHERCL (_kissing her_). This is paradise. And Rosie-- ROSALINE. Yes, Mr. Schercl.