MISS SKY. _(Alarmed.)_ Oh! what's that? it seems like the groan of a criminal full of remorse: surely no one can be in the room. I thought the sound came from behind that screen. Hem! _(Coughs.)_ I wish I could get courage to peep. [_She sings to gain courage--passing cautiously behind the screen. PINKEY, at the same time, comes round in front, then takes his place at the back of it as she re-appears._ No one is there--there are no closets--no other door than that. I'm getting frightened, upon my honor I am--it must have been my fancy. Well, all I can do is to sit quiet till my friends are disposed to set me at liberty. I really feel inclined to scream. [_She sits in the chair. PINKEY comes forward, and gently places a chair by the side of her._ PIN. Hem! [_She screams and falls on her knees. DAMPER, MISS SNARE, BOSS and CHESTER, are seen watching them through the glass door._ MISS SKY. Oh! what's that?--I can't look I'm sure its something frightful. PIN. _(Falling on his knees beside her.)_ Now for it, I'm at high popping pressure. Angelic creature--dearest of women--I love you to distraction--I shall never be happy without you, you are necessary to my life--I never loved anybody but you--never _can_ love anybody but you--I've got four hundred a year, an uncle with a row of houses, and an aunt with money in the bank--I'm the only nephew--I'm in both their wills--you are all to me, Oh, that I were all to you--in short--in fact--in a few words--will you be mine? There! MISS SKY. _(Recovers herself during his speech and rises.)_ No. PIN. Oh, good gracious! You don't mean it? MISS SKY. I do, sir, I have heard of you; you proposed to another lady last night. PIN. Oh, so I did. MISS SKY. You confess it, do you; and, because you were rejected there, sir, you have summoned all the courage you are capable of to address me. PIN. Let me explain. MISS SKY. Monster, away. [_PINKEY, terrified, jumps up, runs to the door and calls out._ PIN. Let me out, pray, let me out; I've popped and it's no use. Let me out. [_They hold the door fast laughing at PINKEY; BOSS, at length opens it; PINKEY darts out; MISS SNARE, BOSS, and DAMPER enter._ MISS SNA. (R.) What is the matter, have you refused him? MISS SKY. (C.) Certainly. As I was coming here I met Miss Macaw, and it appears that Mr. Pinkey actually proposed to her last night. DAM. (L.) Proposed to her! MISS SKY. And she asked me, if I should meet him, to say that she particularly wishes to see him this evening. Could you have thought it? _I_ shall not give him any further encouragement. Who next will he propose to, I wonder? DAM. Oho! my lady's coquetry is now accounted for. What a sex it is! the more I associate with it, the more I discover to detest in it. Miss Skylark, next to Miss Macaw, I dislike you more than any woman I know. I am going to a party--I am priviledged to take a lady. Will you accept my arm? MISS SKY. To the manor-house? DAM. Yes.