_Curphew_ (_to himself, as he paces up and down with a pre-occupied air_). I ought to have been up at the Hilarity rehearsing hours ago. Considering all that depends on that play of mine--but there'll be time enough to pull _Flattery_ together before Saturday. And this is the only chance I have of seeing ALTHEA for days. Her mother hinted last night that she was obliged to let her travel up to Waterloo alone, and if I _did_ happen to be going up about this time--and of course I _do_ happen to be. I _must_ tell ALTHEA; I can't go on playing a part any longer. I felt such a humbug last night over that confounded Eldorado business. But if I'd revealed myself then as "Walter Wildfire, Comedian and Vocalist," those puritanical parents of hers would probably have both had a fit on the floor, and have kicked me out of the house as soon as they were sufficiently recovered! That's the worst of becoming intimate with a serious Evangelical family in the character of a hard-working journalist. I ought to have undeceived them, I suppose, but it was such a blessing to sink the shop--and besides, I'd seen ALTHEA. It would have been folly to speak until--but she must know now, I'll have no more false pretences. After all, there's no disgrace in being a music-hall singer. I've no reason to be ashamed of the means by which I've got my reputation. Ah! but she won't understand that--the name will be enough for her! And I can't blame her if she fails to see the glory of bringing whisky and water nightly to the eyes of an enraptured audience by singing serio-comic sentiment under limelight through clouds of tobacco-smoke. Heaven knows _I'm_ sick enough of it, and if _Flattery_ only makes a hit, I'd cut the profession at once. If I could only hear her say she--there she is--at last--and alone, thank goodness! I wish I didn't feel so nervous--I'm not likely to get a better opportunity. (_Aloud, as he meets_ ALTHEA.) Mrs. TOOVEY said I might--can I get your ticket, or see after your luggage, or anything? _Althea._ Oh, thank you, Mr. CURPHEW, but PH[OE]BE is doing all that. _Curph._ (_to himself, his face falling_). That's the maid; then she's _not_ alone! I must get this over now, or not at all. (_Aloud._) Miss TOOVEY, I--I've something I particularly want to say to you; shall we walk up to the other end of the platform? _Alth._ (_to herself_). It looks more serious than ever! Is he going to give me good advice? It's kind of him to care, but still----(_Aloud._) Oh, but we shan't have time. See, there's our train coming up now. Couldn't you say it in the railway carriage? [_The train runs in._ _Curph._ (_to himself_). For PH[OE]BE'S edification! No, I don't quite----(_Aloud, desperately._) It--it's something that concerns--something I can't very well say before anyone else--there'll be another train directly--would you mind waiting for it?