MISS SKY. I should like very much to go. I am so curious to discover who it is that shows such an anxiety to make our acquaintance. DAM. Take my arm. _(MISS SKYLARK takes DAMPER'S arm.)_ That I should ever be walking with a woman in this way. Well, one can only obtain a knowledge of a pestilence by boldly venturing where it rages. Come, of course I am to be annoyed all the way there by your horrible singing propensity. MISS SKY. _(Sings.)_ "Oh, come with me, my love, And our fairy home shall be Where the water spirits rove, In the deep, deep sea." [_DAMPER looks savagely at her as they go off, D.F._ BOSS. Really, the courting people seem all to be getting to cross purposes! Ah, there is nothing like a platonic affection, is there, Miss Snare? MISS SNA. I have no faith in platonic affections. BOSS. No! MISS SNA. We might as well think of playing at snow-balls in July. The ice-cellar of propriety may yield the snow, but the moment it becomes exposed to the warm air of temptation, it dissolves into its original liquid! BOSS. 'Pon my life you're a philosopher in petticoats--you certainly wear a hoop from the tub of Diogenes! MISS SNA. Oh, flatterer. BOSS. Fact, really. MISS SNA. I trust that I possess the candle of the sage, and have used it with more success than he did. BOSS. How? MISS SNA. That with its light I have discovered in you, not only an honest, but an elegant man. _(Crosses to L.)_ BOSS. You're a divinity! MISS SNA. Oh! BOSS. You are; and as I am no stoic, I must have a kiss. _(Offers to kiss her.)_ MISS SNA. _(Repulsing him with great dignity.)_ Sir, that is a liberty I do _not_ allow--there are certain bounds to familiarity, which once passed, we are in the highway of contempt. We have merely been friends, not lovers. You could not venture on a greater piece of indecorum, even after an accepted proposal! Good evening sir! [_Exit D.F., courtesying._ BOSS. How very odd! This is the effect of dining with Pinkey, and yielding to a generous impulse. I hope she's not seriously offended--hang it, I shall be wretched without her; for I have never before felt so at home and so perfectly amused, as I have been in her society. What can it mean? very strange. The fact is, I think the women _are_ pleasant creatures after all; and I've not been sufficiently alive to their qualities! I'll try another--I'll see who else I can take to this party--must have a lady on my arm it seems. Perhaps Miss Snare will forgive me. If she's in her parlour, I'll tap at the door, and threaten to cut my throat if she don't; for upon my life I feel miserable enough to do it--fact! _(Takes out a pocket glass and adjusts his hair.)_ No, I couldn't! _(Regarding himself in the glass.)_ No, my fine fellow--now I look at you again, under no circumstances could I do _that!_ _(Admiring himself.)_ Upon my soul I couldn't--it would be a pity! No, no, don't be afraid, my man, I'll take every care of you, as long as I live.