_Miss T._ Cheviot, I love you with an irresistible fervour, that seems to parch my very existence. I love you as I never loved man before, and as I can never hope to love man again. But, in the belief that you were ruined, I went with my own adored Belvawney before the registrar, and that registrar has just made us one! (_Turns affectionately to BELVAWNEY._) _Bel._ (_embraces BELINDA_). Bless him for it--bless him for it! _Ch._ (_deadly calm_). One word. I have not yet seen the letter that blights my earthly hopes. For form’s sake, I trust I may be permitted to cast my eye over that document? As a matter of business--that’s all. _Bel._ Certainly. Here it is. You will find the situation of the cottage described in unmistakable terms. (_Hands the letter to CHEVIOT._) _Ch._ (_reads_). “In reply to your letter I have to inform you that Evan Cottage is certainly in England. The deeds relating to the property place this beyond all question.” Thank you; I am satisfied. (_Takes out pistol._) _Bel._ Now, sir, perhaps you will kindly release that young lady. She is my wife! (_CHEVIOT’S arm has crept mechanically round MISS TREHERNE’S waist._) _Miss T._ Oh, Cheviot! kindly release me--I am his wife! _Ch._ Crushed! Crushed! Crushed! _Sym._ (_looking over his shoulder at letter, reads_). “Turn over.” _Ch._ (_despairingly_). Why should I? What good would it do? Oh! I see. I beg your pardon! (_Turns over the page._) Halloa! (_Rises._) _All._ What? _Ch._ (_reads_). “P.S.--I may add that the border line runs through the property. The cottage is undoubtedly in England, though the garden is in Scotland.” _Miss T._ And we were married in the garden! _Ch._ Belinda, we were married in the garden! [_BELINDA leaves BELVAWNEY, and turns affectionately to CHEVIOT, who embraces her._] _Bel._ Belinda, stop a bit! don’t leave me like this! _Miss T._ (_crosses to BELVAWNEY_). Belvawney, I love you with an intensity of devotion that I firmly believe will last while I live. But dear Cheviot is my husband now; he has a claim upon me which it would be impossible--nay, criminal--to resist. Farewell, Belvawney; Minnie may yet be yours! (_BELVAWNEY turns sobbing to MINNIE, who comforts him; MISS T. crosses back to CHEVIOT._) Cheviot--my husband--my own old love--if the devotion of a lifetime can atone for the misery of the last few days, it is yours, with every wifely sentiment of pride, gratitude, admiration, and love. _Ch._ (_embracing her_). My own! my own! Tender blossom of my budding hopes! Star of my life! Essence of happiness! Tree upon which the fruit of my heart is growing! My Past, my Present, my To Come! [PICTURE.--_CHEVIOT embracing MISS TREHERNE. BELVAWNEY is being comforted by MINNIE. ANGUS is solacing MAGGIE, and MRS. MACFARLANE is reposing on MR. SYMPERSON’S bosom._ SWEETHEARTS. _AN ORIGINAL DRAMATIC CONTRAST_, IN TWO ACTS.