MISS MAC. I dare say it is, sir. MISS SNA. _(To CHESTER.)_ Do you intend permanently residing in this town? CHE. I am undecided at present. DAM. Intend to live with your _relation_, perhaps? CHE. Sir! DAM. _(To NIGGLE.)_ That was a home thrust. Observe how he avoids it. MISS SNA. _(Loudly.)_ Coals, Mr. Pinkey, and you don't attend to Miss Skylark. PIN. _(Jumping up.)_ Oh, I'd forgot. [_PINKEY seizes the coal-scuttle, and, in his confusion, is about to empty its contents into MISS SKYLARK'S lap._ MISS SKY. _(Rising.)_ What are you doing, sir? ALL. Mr. Pinkey! PIN. _(Running to his chair.)_ I--I--don't know what I'm doing. I--want to go home. I'm a little out of sorts--and---- [_A loud knocking heard._ NIG. _(Starts.)_ That's very like her knock. Do you expect another visitor, Miss Snare? MISS SNA. _(Rising, and going to F.E.L.)_ No I do not. _(Looking off.)_ It's a friend of your's, Mr. Niggle. Pray walk in, Miss Coy; pray walk in. NIG. It is she. DAM. Don't be alarmed, I am with you--don't be alarmed. _Enter MISS CAROLINE COY, dressed in bridal white, F.E.L.; she enters in a dignified manner._ MISS COY. _(Courtesying round her.)_ Good afternoon. I am sorry to disturb you. So, all assembled, the entire force of my traducers in full array before me. I am delighted to meet you all. NIG. I think she carries the calm dignity of innocence in her manner. DAM. All artifice. MISS COY. _(Seeing CHARLES.)_ _You_ here too? CHE. _(Advancing to her, R.)_ Let them say what they will of you, my secret must be kept. If your intended possesses a real regard for you, it is not a mere tale of scandal that can turn him from you. MISS COY. I am in such a fury--feel so insulted. CHE. Then shower your wrath on their heads. MISS COY. I shall not spare them, be assured. _(Sits.)_ DAM. _(To NIGGLE.)_ Whispering, you see--agreeing both to tell the same story. MISS SNA. Tea, Miss Coy? MISS COY. Presently, miss. Hem! DAM. _(To NIGGLE.)_ Clearing her throat to begin. NIG. If she plays upon my feelings I'm done for. DAM. She is sure to try to do that--they _all_ try to do that. MISS COY. You must be all well aware by this time, that I was about to be married to that fluctuating bachelor, Mr. Niggle, and, that the match is broken off, as much through the interference of his friend, as his want of the moral courage, necessary for so important an act as matrimony. ALL. _(But DAMPER and NIGGLE.)_ Ha! ha! Moral courage for matrimony. DAM. _(To NIGGLE.)_ Don't let them have the laugh against you. Speak out, speak out.