Jim. She wants me to acknowledge that I am a fool, sir; nothing will content her but my admitting I am a perfect fool. Dr. E. That is very strange. Jim. You see, she thinks it her duty to sit down on me! just to show she ain't inferior, you know. Dr. E. I am afraid she and you also have gone to the two extremes of an idea. Now I do not believe you would wish to exercise any undue authority over her. Jim. Authority? over Jennie? No, indeed, sir, and to tell you the truth, I don't believe there is any fellow alive who _could_ do it and live. Dr. E. I have more faith in Jennie than to believe she would really like a man who was inferior to herself. I think she adopts that tone as a safeguard because she has a misgiving that the masculine instinct is to assert itself over the feminine. But if you give her to understand that as far as you are concerned she is wrong, I think there will be no trouble. Jim. Thank you, sir, I'll try. I suppose a man and a woman _are_ two halves, equal halves, but I have a feeling that Jennie won't be content with half; she will want two thirds at least. (Exit, L. U. E.) Dr. E. Poor fellow, I trust his Jennie will not be obdurate. As he says, it is an awful thing to be in love. Love! Is it a blessing or a curse? A week ago, and for me it meant happiness, and now--ah, Kate, what is it that stands between us? I can obtain no explanation from her; she refuses to see me alone. Is it what a man who has less faith in the sex than I would call a woman's caprice? No! Kate is a noble, a true woman, nothing can make me doubt that! "I must honor as well as love the man I marry." What can she have meant? What have I done? I am groping in the darkness, but I will find my way into the light yet! (Enter Mr. Grovenor, R. 1 E.) Mr. G. Ah, my dear doctor, you are a stranger indeed. I sent for you to-day, as I am feeling far from well. I have had a great mental strain of late and I fear it has been too much for me. Dr. E. I can truly believe it. I am grieved to see you looking so ill. Mr. G. My head troubles me sadly. Dr. E. You need rest. Mr. G. Rest! Rest is impossible for me. Dr. E. Cannot your son-- Mr. G. Eugene! no! He is good for nothing except to sing comic songs at champagne suppers and talk soft nonsense to equally soft girls. No. I regret to say Eugene is not a son of whom I can be proud, or who is willing to be useful to me. Dr. E. But your daughter Kate. I am positive she could be of great assistance to you if you would allow her. Mr. G. What! a woman meddling in my business matters? Absurd! Dr. E. I am sorry I cannot agree with you. I know Miss Grovenor has business ability, energy, and brains; what more do you want? Mr. G. But she is a woman and that settles the matter. Let us not discuss this point. And now can you not give me something that will stop this burning in my head? Dr. E. I will try, but I fear, without rest, medicine will do you little good.