_Mrs. V. T._ Of being defeated? Yes. But don’t be too triumphant. You didn’t win single-handed. _Stuart._ I certainly did not have much assistance, except from Mrs. Van Tromp. _Mrs. V. T._ On the contrary, you had the best assistance in the world. I ought to have known better than bet against so powerful a coalition as Mr. Stuart and Cupid. I only hope my behaviour has made me odious to you! [_Crosses petulantly to r._ _Stuart._ On the contrary, I’m rather fond of real deviltry! So, if agreeable, we’ll settle the stakes at once. _Mrs. V. T._ I throw myself on your mercy. _Stuart._ And what mercy would you have shown me, had I lost? _Mrs. V. T._ Yes, but then I’m a woman. _Stuart._ Deo gratia. _Mrs. V. T._ And you know, Mr. Stuart, a woman is never expected to pay her bets. _Stuart._ There’s one woman who will pay hers to me, and that promptly. Attention, please. As a forfeit, you are to say to me, “I love you.” _Mrs. V. T._ Ah, Mr. Stuart, don’t make me tell any more untruths! _Stuart (taking her hand)._ Don’t say it then; tell me without words. [_Stoops head and they kiss. Sounds of altercation outside._ _Agnes_ (_coming down with_ FRED). What’s that? CHARLIE _and_ REG. _enter at b. d. and come down_. _Charlie._ Well, you reprethentative of a graveyard, you juth athk her. _Reg._ Ask her? I tell you she’s engaged to me. (_Sees Stuart_). Aw, Mr. Stuart, you’ve lost your wager. _Stuart (to Agnes)._ Has Mr. Van Tromp proposed to you this evening? _Agnes._ No. _Charlie (reeling with laughter against mantel)._ Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Oh, thith ith rich! Oh, I thall die of laughing! Oh, thum one thtop me! To think of the proud and haughty Reginald De Lanthy Van Tromp propothing to the wrong girl,—ha, ha, ha, ho, ho, ho! _Stuart._ Laugh away, Newbank. Get it all in now, for it won’t last. _Charlie._ Won’t latht? I don’t underthtand you. [POLLY, _with domino on her arm, appears at b. d.—looks in, and starts back as if frightened_. _Agnes._ Come here, Polly. [POLLY _comes down r. between_ CHARLIE _and_ REG. _Stuart._ Here is the minx who can make all clear. Polly, did Mr. Newbank propose to you? _Polly._ Yes, sir. _Reg._ Oh, deah, how funny! Haw, haw, haw! But then, people in his station always do take maids. Pwoposing to a servant! _Polly._ But you proposed to me too, Mr. Van Tromp. _Charlie (laughing very hard)._ Holy Motheth, but I thall thertainly die of laughing! _Polly._ Please, Miss Wortley, forgive me? _Stuart._ Yes. Remember what she has done for (_points to Fred and Agnes_) you two. _Fred._ And for (_pointing at Stuart and Mrs. V. T._) those two. _Agnes._ But she must have a lesson. _Stuart._ Why, we’ve all had a lesson—on the mysterious means Cupid employs to accomplish his purposes. _Mrs. V. T._ Verily ’tis so: