[_Exits l. d._ _Mrs. V. T. (reflectively)._ And so Mr. Stuart is going to propose to a blue domino—that’s me—on behalf of Mr. Stevens? (_Laughs._) There’s a nice game of cross purposes. Ah, sir, you’ll have to be cleverer than that to— What a chance to beat him! Let me see. STUART _appears at b. d._ _Stuart._ Not masked yet? _Mrs. V. T._ Ah! Mr. Stuart, I am ready to name our game of forfeits. _Stuart (coming down)._ Bravo! _Mrs. V. T._ You want to win my cousin for Mr. Stevens. Succeed, and you shall name whatever forfeit you choose. Fail, and I set what penalty I please. _Stuart._ Agreed. _Mrs. V. T._ But I warn you: I shall stoop to anything rather than be beaten. If a man is honourable he will be at a great disadvantage. Like Faust, I have made a pact with the devil. _Stuart._ Better take a partner with whom I am on less friendly relations. _Mrs. V. T._ He is not on so good terms with you as with me. Don’t you know that women are extremes? That they are either a great deal better or worse than men? _Stuart._ I have always heard that women said spiteful things of their sex, but I don’t think it’s nice of you to make such speeches about the one I care for. One would almost think you were jealous of her. _Mrs. V. T. (throwing glove on floor)._ There is my challenge to the combat. _Stuart (picking it up)._ I accept the gage. _Mrs. V. T. (holding out hand)._ But not to keep it. _Stuart._ I will only return the glove without the _g_. _Mrs. V. T._ And without that letter, I prefer to get a new pair. [_Going up._ _Stuart (following)._ Then it is real war? _Mrs. V. T._ War, fierce and merciless. [_Exit_ MRS. V. T. _and_ STUART, _b. d._ POLLY _peeks in l. d., then enters with white domino and mask on arm_. _Polly._ I didn’t dare to put this on (_putting on domino and mask_) in Miss Wortley’s room for fear she might come in. What will she say when she only finds one? My! I shall have to keep out of her way this evening, or she will want to know who is wearing it. (_Looking down at domino._) Oh, I wish I dared go to Miss Wortley’s dressing-room and look at myself in the glass! (_Walks off, looking behind her._) I will. (_Goes up to l. d. and starts to exit._) Oh, Jiminy! [_Turns and rushes out b. d._ _Enter_ AGNES _l. d. in domino, and with mask in her hand_. _Agnes (coming down)._ I changed my mind about going downstairs, for I had rather miss all the dancing in the world than puppydom’s love-making to the back-stairs. I could almost forgive Polly when I think of what I have in store. (_Crosses r. and looks through curtains at bay window._) From my hiding-place, I’ll hear every word of it. (_Goes to mantel and looks at clock._) Quarter to twelve—I’m early! STUART _appears at b. d. and looks in_. _Agnes._ Ah!