[_Exit D.F._ SCENE IV.--_An elegant apartment at the manor-house, lighted with candleabras, &c. Folding doors at the back. Five tables with writing paper on each, and ten chairs; two tables on each side, one in the centre, with writing materials on it. A letter on pink paper lying on the first table, L._ _Enter NIGGLE, with MISS MEADOWS on his arm, C.D._ NIG. Well, here I am, and with a lady, according to the terms of my invitation. Oh, Miss Meadows, if I had not encountered you, I must have come here alone. We are the first pair that have arrived, I see. Oh, miss, I am a miserable man. MISS MEA. Is your lady inexorable? NIG. She is indeed. I brought her back in the chaise, but she sat up in a corner all the way, and never uttered a word. I have no hope now of ever being married! Will _you_ have me? Think of it, _do_--we _might_ be happy--and I'll make one more effort for matrimony, if I go from street to street, knock at every door, and ask if there is any lady within who would not object to marry a respectable, middle-aged gentleman--of amiable temper, great sensibility, and small fortune! [_They sit at the front table on the L._ _CHESTER enters with MISS SNARE on his arm, C.D._ MISS SNA. How very strange there is no one to receive us. Ah, Mr. Niggle! NIG. How is it that Boss is not with you? MISS SNA. A little disagreement; and as this gentleman had called at my house, he politely offered to bring me here, as I expressed an anxiety to see our new neighbour. [_They sit at the front table on the R._ _BOSS enters, with MISS COY on his arm, C.D._ NIG. There she is--inclined to marry Boss, no doubt. MISS SNA. Surely he is not going to throw himself away on Miss Coy. _She_ can never appreciate him, I'm sure. BOSS. _(To MISS COY.)_ Fortunate I called on you, as you were anxious to come. MISS C. Pray conduct me to a seat. [_BOSS conducts her to a chair at the second table on the R._ _DAMPER and MISS SKYLARK enter, arm-in-arm, back._ DAM. Oh! pretty well all arrived, eh? and everybody looking as miserable as they deserve to be! Well, who is it that has asked us here? NIG. I don't know. BOSS. Nor I. DAM. _(To MISS SKYLARK.)_ Sit down. MISS SKY. I will. _(Aside.)_ What an incorrigible brute it is! [_They sit at the second table on the L._ _Enter PINKEY and MISS MACAW, arm-in-arm, C.D._ MISS SKY. Indeed! brings _her_ here--I was quite right to reject him! DAM. _(Looking at MISS MACAW.)_ I wish she was my wife--I'd wring her heart for this! PIN. How d'ye do, all of you? Now, my dear Miss Macaw, pray take a chair--I shall be distressed if I neglect any attention that you may look for! MISS SKY. Dear me, how gallant--I'll coquet with Mr. Damper! MISS MEA. 'Tis very strange that no one appears to receive us. ALL. _(To each other, and with great coquetry.)_ Very, very strange! Don't you think so?