_Alex._ Love feeds on many kinds of food, I know. Some love for rank, and some for duty; Some give their hearts away for empty show, And others love for youth and beauty. To love for money all the world is prone; Some love themselves, and live all lonely. Give me the love that loves for love alone; I love that love--I love it only! What man for any other joy can thirst, Whose loving wife adores him duly? Want, misery, and care may do their worst, If loving woman loves you truly. A lover’s thoughts are ever with his own; None truly loved is ever lonely. Give me the love that loves for love alone; I love that love--I love it only! _Ali._ Oh, Alexis, those are noble principles! _Alex._ Yes, Aline, and I am going to take a desperate step in support of them. Have you ever heard of the firm of J. W. Wells and Co., the old-established family sorcerers, in St. Mary Axe? _Ali._ I have seen their advertisement. _Alex._ They have invented a philtre, which, if report may be believed, is simply infallible. I intend to distribute it through the village, and within half an hour of my doing so, there will not be an adult in the place who will not have learnt the secret of pure and lasting happiness. What do you say to that? _Ali._ Well, dear, of course a filter is a very useful thing in a house; quite indispensable in the present state of Thames water; but still I don’t quite see that it is the sort of thing that places its possessor on the very pinnacle of earthly joy. _Alex._ Aline, you misunderstand me. I didn’t say a filter--I said philtre. _Ali._ So did I, dear. _I_ said a filter. _Alex._ No, dear, you said a filter. I don’t mean a filter--I mean a philtre,--ph, you know. _Ali._ (_alarmed_). You don’t mean a love-potion? _Alex._ On the contrary--I _do_ mean a love-potion. _Ali._ Oh, Alexis, I don’t think it would be right. I don’t indeed. And then--a real magician! Oh, it would be downright wicked. _Alex._ Aline, is it, or is it not, a laudable object to steep the whole village up to its lips in love, and to couple them in matrimony, without distinction of age, rank, or fortune? _Ali._ Unquestionably, but---- _Alex._ Then, unpleasant as it must be to have recourse to supernatural aid, I must nevertheless pocket my aversion, in deference to the great and good end I have in view. (_Calling._) Hercules! _Enter a _Page_ from tent._ _Page._ Yes, sir. _Alex._ Is Mr. Wells there? _Page._ He’s in the tent, sir--refreshing. _Alex._ Ask him to be so good as to step this way. _Page._ Yes, sir. [_Exit _Page_._ _Ali._ Oh, but, Alexis! A real sorcerer! Oh, I shall be frightened to death!