_Stuart (with mock resignation)._ Bear it—like a man. But I am quite safe from that danger! I trust you won’t mind if in the passion of the moment I call you Frances. _Agnes._ This once I’ll condone the liberty. _Stuart (coming very close to Agnes)._ And if I should so far forget myself as to try and—well, behave as lovers generally do? _Agnes (retreating)._ Oh, Mrs. Van Tromp is quite safe from that. [_Slips past_ STUART _and crosses to l._ _Stuart (aside)._ Don’t be too sure of that. _Agnes._ Well, begin. _Stuart (crossing to chair c.)._ Now that’s no way to give a lover an opening. I want this to have verisimilitude. In real life you don’t as good as say to the man (_sits very much on the edge of chair c._) sitting on the edge of his chair, ‘Please begin.’ Do let’s make it realistic. _Agnes (laughing)._ Even to the mitten? Very well. (_Imitating society manner._) I didn’t see you at Mrs. Grainger’s rosecotillion Tuesday, Mr. Stuart. _Charlie (without)._ Ah! My angel, we meet. _Agnes (seizing Stuart’s hand)._ Quick! Come! [_Drags him over to bay window, where she conceals both with curtain._ _Enter_ POLLY, _in mask and domino, and_ CHARLIE _b. d._ _Charlie._ My own! What can I do to thow my gratitude? _Polly._ If you but knew how I have trembled at my unmaidenly imprudence in writing you! _Charlie._ My angel, love knowth no prudenth; no boundth can limit it. _Polly._ And you don’t scorn and despise me? _Charlie._ Thcorn? Dethpithe? Never. _Polly._ And you don’t think me unmaidenly? _Charlie._ It ith impothible. You are nothing but what ith perfect and beautiful. _Polly (sighing)._ Ah! _Charlie (sighing)._ Ah! (_Reaches out and takes her hand._) Mith Wortley, did you mean what you thaid in your letter? _Polly (languishing)._ Can you doubt it? _Charlie._ And you really love your Cholly? _Polly (tenderly)._ Oh, Cholly! _Charlie (kneeling)._ And you really want to marry your Cholly? _Polly (faintly)._ Oh, Cholly! REGINALD _appears b. d. and enters_. _Reg._ Miss Wortley, I have hurwied to your side. And none too soon, it appears. _Charlie (jumping to his feet and speaking very angrily)._ You thpethimen of the horroth of heredity, you get out of here! _Polly (sotto voce to Charlie)._ Oh, please don’t make a disturbance! Remember whose house it is! Leave us and I’ll get rid of him and follow. _Charlie._ My angel, I can refuth you nothing. (_Goes up stage and speaks to Reg._) Thir, you owe your thafety to that lady. [_Exit b. d._ _Reg. (coming down)._ Miss Wortley, I am deucid sowy that epitome of bad form has been borwing you. _Polly._ Oh, I don’t mind that. I was only afraid he was going to misbehave. _Reg._ Aw, the cad’s always doing that, don’tcher know. _Polly._ Oh, Mr. Van Tromp, what must you think of me!