I won't be able to make that waltz, I--_(Breaks off suddenly.)_ MRS. EPPINGWELL Why, you, of all men, are not going home early? VANDERLIP No--I--that is-- _(Looks at card, studies it profoundly, as though it would get him out of his difficulty.)_ Why, yes, of course we can have that waltz together. I thought it was already engaged, that was all. _(Enter Capt. Eppingwell, who comes up to them, still in domino.)_ CAPT. EPPINGWELL _(Disguising voice.)_ The next is mine, I believe, fair lady. _(Vanderlip ranges up alongside of him and measures height of shoulders. Capt. Eppingwell curiously observes the action, and speaks with gruff voice.)_ Well, stranger, what's up? VANDERLIP We're both up. CAPT. EPPINGWELL Up to what? VANDERLIP Up to each other. We're the same height, and I've guessed you, Captain Eppingwell. _(All laugh together, and Capt. Eppingwell bears Mrs. Eppingwell away. They make exit to left.)_ _(Loraine accosts Vanderlip.)_ LORAINE _(In disguised voice.)_ A word in your ear, sir. _(Vanderlip is politely agreeable, and listens.)_ All is discovered. _(He starts.)_ Your actions have betrayed you. VANDERLIP Who are you? LORAINE Never mind who I am. I know. _(Takes his hand and looks at palm.)_ You are about to make a long journey. _(He starts.)_ I see a water-hole. _(He starts.)_ I hear a clock strike twelve. _(He starts.)_ She is a dark woman, a foreigner. _(He starts.)_ And her name is-- _(In natural voice, laughing.)_ Loraine. VANDERLIP _(With relief in voice.)_ You fooled me all right, Loraine. You said you weren't coming to the ball. LORAINE I didn't intend to, but everything was packed and ready for the start, and I had nothing to do. So I came. _(A pause.)_ Floyd, don't you think you've been dancing with that Mrs. Eppingwell rather frequently? VANDERLIP No, I don't. LORAINE You've danced every dance with her. VANDERLIP Somebody else is dancing with her now. LORAINE And, in consequence, you are not dancing at all. VANDERLIP _(Making movement to take her into ballroom.)_ Come, then, let us dance it together. LORAINE _(Pouting.)_ No. VANDERLIP _(Persuasively.)_ Aw, come on. LORAINE No. VANDERLIP All right, then, don't. _(He stands stolid and silent.)_ LORAINE _(After a pause, softly, hesitatingly, tears in voice, etc.)_ Floyd--I-- _(Breaks down and weeps in feminine way.)_ _(Vanderlip is soft as mush at once. His arm is around her, and she is drawn close to him.)_ VANDERLIP There, there, dear. You know I love you. LORAINE _(Still weeping.)_ I--I am jealous, Floyd. I know it, but I can't help it. You are a man to touch women's hearts. They can't help loving you, and--and-- VANDERLIP _(Showing that he is secretly pleased.)_ Oh, pshaw. Anyway, you are the one woman, or I wouldn't be taking you down river to-night. _(Prince has gone to left and is looking into ballroom, so they are unobserved.)_ LORAINE _(Recovering.)_