NIG. Get your charmer near the window, looking over a garden if possible. PIN. Well. NIG. Admire the beauty and quiet of the hour. PIN. Say "What a nice night." I know. NIG. Then breathe a gentle sigh. Ah! _(Sighing.)_ PIN. Ah! _(Sighing in imitation.)_ NIG. While you affect to be playing with her pocket handkerchief, gently take her hand. PIN. Oh my gracious! NIG. Press it with a delicate ardour. PIN. Ah! Squeeze it as if I was half afraid. NIG. Then whisper these words: "Does not a moment like this inspire you with feelings indescribable?" PIN. Rather a long speech. Can't I shorten it a little? NIG. No, no--every word is of value. She will reply "Indeed it does"--then in the most pathetic tones you can command, you must add: "For my own part, I feel its influence so strongly here"--placing the hand you have at liberty on your heart--"that I could live for ever thus." PIN. Meaning in that attitude? NIG. No, no, with your heart full of the passionate feelings you are to experience at that moment. PIN. Ah, that's speaking allegorically! Well? NIG. Of course she will make no reply. Then you must be affected--seem to dry away a tear--and add with fervour, "till this moment I have been a miserable man." Let your voice falter on the word miserable. PIN. _(In a tremulous tone.)_ Miserable! NIG. That's it; then continue: "'Tis in your power to make me the happiest being on earth! Will you be mine? dearest angel, will you be mine? Say yes, and I am blessed indeed; but reject me, and instant death shall be my portion!" Then fall at her feet, sob audibly, and hide your face in her lap! PIN. Lord! I could never do all that--I might get as far as "Will you be mine?" but even then I think I should rush out of the house without waiting for the answer. And am I to sob and fall on my knees? _I_ could never do it, bless you--without I first took a few bumpers of spirits and water. Pray oblige me by writing the speech down for me. I'll learn it by heart, and I wont wait for an autumn evening, but take the first favorable opportunity, eh? even if it's to-night, eh? NIG. Your favorable opportunity is half the battle; and as for the form of the declaration and proposal, I warrant it--I've tried it five times myself, and it never failed yet! PIN. Hush! I hear her voice. Now step into the next room and write it all down for me, then I'll take her unawares, and pop like fury! NIG. Take her by storm--take her by storm! PIN. I will, I will. NIG. Faint heart, you know---- PIN. Never won fair lady! NIG. Hush! they're coming--follow me. [_Exit F.E.L._ PIN. Now or never, I'm resolved! [_Exit, following._ _Enter MISS SKYLARK, carrying a small basket full of letters, followed by MISS SNARE, F.E.R._ MISS SNA. And is that basket full of Mr. Pinkey's letters? MISS SKY. Full.