_Stuart (soothingly)._ All right. We’ll say no more about it. [_At b.d._ _Fred._ Then give me your word you won’t. _Stuart._ That’s another matter. _Fred._ Then I shall at once find Miss Wortley and— _Stuart (interrupting)._ Tell her all about it. That’s right. You will have told her that you love her. [_Exits b. d._ _Fred (following)._ Not at all! I shall simply keep near her, and if you make the attempt I shall interfere. [_Exits b. d._ [AGNES _rises from concealment, peeks out and comes down c. with_ MRS. V. T.’S _domino and mask on her arm_. _Agnes._ At last! I began to think I should have to spend the night there,—though I did nearly burst in on them two or three times. And that’s the way men discuss women! (_Scornfully._) So, Mr. Van Tromp, I’m to save you from the poorhouse! And “no” wouldn’t make you commit suicide! And you’re not afraid of what my answer will be, Mr. Newbank! Oh!!! (_Laughs._) I should like to hear their proposals to Polly. I’ve always thought that girl a treasure, but she gets her dismissal to-morrow. The idea of wearing my domino, and telling all those men what I was to wear! And telling Mr. Stevens that she wrote my letters for me! (_Anxiously._) What must he think of me! And the only one of them too who seemed to think I deserve the commonest courtesy. “I could say to Miss Wortley, as I say to myself fifty times a day, I love you.” (_Demurely._) That was nice! I wonder if he— I wonder if Mr. Stuart will propose to me? I never thought he would behave so badly. (_Pacing across stage meditatively._) How can I turn the tables and punish them all? Let me see—(_checking off on fingers_)—the two puppies will be punished by the loss of their bets and—me! Polly will lose her position. Now— _Enter_ MRS. V. T. _l. d._ _Mrs. V. T._ Oh, Agnes, I can’t find my domino anywhere, and— Why, you have it! _Agnes (as if seized with an inspiration)._ Frances, you must let me change dominos and masks with you. _Mrs. V. T._ What for? _Agnes._ Mr. Stuart has bribed Polly to tell about our dominos,—and he’s going to propose to my blue one. _Mrs. V. T. (incredulously)._ What,—to you? _Agnes (embarrassed)._ Oh! That is— Well—he’s— You see it’s—he’s only asking for some one else. _Mrs. V. T._ Oh, I see! Some one who hasn’t dared? _Agnes._ Yes. Mr. Newbank is so— _Mrs. V. T._ Of course. He is shy. _Agnes._ Very. (_Hurriedly._) And so I thought we could change dominos, and—and—don’t you see? _Mrs. V. T. (reflectively)._ But then— Wouldn’t— Oh! Why, of course I will. Here, let me help you on with it; and now run along downstairs. The dancing is in full swing. _Agnes (going up)._ I’ll go at once. (_Turns in b. d._) You will find my domino in my dressing-room.