_Nokes._ Poor girl! poor girl! [_Pats Susan's head._] There, there! your feelings do you the greatest credit; but don't cry, because it makes your eyes red. Now, look here, Susan; there's only one thing more. You are very soft-hearted, I perceive, and it must be distinctly understood between us that you need never intercede with me in favor of that scoundrel Charles. I won't have it. You wouldn't succeed, of course, but if I ever happen to get fond of you--I mean foolishly fond of you, of course--your importunity might be annoying. When you are once my wife, however, and keeping your own carriage, I confidently expect that you will behave as other people do in that station of life, and show no weakness in favor of your poor relations. _Susan._ I will endeavor, sir, in case you are so good as to marry a humble girl like me, to do my dooty and please you in every way. _Nokes._ That's well said, Susan. [_Kisses her._] You _have_ pleased me in a good many ways already. [_Aside_] I must say, though I didn't like to dwell upon the idea before--[_Tremendous ringing of bells, and sudden appearance of the mistress of the hotel. Tableau._] _Mistress of the hotel [to Nokes]._ _O vieux polisson!_ [_To Susan_] _Coquine abominable!_ _Nokes [to Susan]._ What is this lunatic raving about? _Susan._ She remarks that I haven't finished my work on the second floor. _Nokes [impatiently]._ Tell her to go to--the ground floor. Tell her you are going to be married to me within the week, and order a wedding-breakfast--for two--immediately. _Susan [aside]._ I can never tell her that, for she is a Frenchwoman, and wouldn't believe it. I'll tell her something more melodramatic. I'll say that Mr. Nokes is my father, who has suddenly recognized and discovered his long-lost child.--_Madame, c'est mon pere longtemps absent, qui vous en prie d'accepter ses remerciments pour votre bonte a son enfant._ _Mistress of the hotel [all smiles, and with both hands outstretched]._ Milor, I do congratulate you. Fortunate Susan! You will nevare forget to recommend de hotel? _Nokes._ Thank you, thank you; you're a sensible old woman. [_Aside_] She evidently sees no absurd disproportion in our years.--Breakfast, breakfast!--_dejeuner a la_ what-do-you-call-it! _champagne!_ [_Exit landlady, smiling and bowing_.] _Nokes._ In the mean time, Susan, put on your bonnet and let's go out to--whatever they call Doctors' Commons here--and order a special license. [_Susan goes._] Stop a bit, Susan; you forget something. [_Kisses her._] [_Aside_] I did not like to dwell upon the idea before, but she's got a most uncommon pretty mouth. SCENE II.--_Drawing-room at the Tamarisks. Garden and Sea in the distance. Grand piano, harp, sketch-book; and huge portfolio._