_Mrs. G._ No, no: there must be no violence. I rely upon your discretion. You are both old servants of his, and will not fail to treat him respectfully. It's only a frolic of his young wife, at which he will laugh heartily when it is over. (_Bell rings._) There's the bell. Should it be he, do not open the door. _Patty._ I will remember. [_Exit_ R. _Mrs. G._ Now, then, to rehearse my part in the grand tragedy. (_Enter_ PATTY R.) _Patty._ Mr. Cheeny, ma'am. (_Enter_ Mr. CHEENY R.) _Mrs. G._ Ah, Ralph; welcome! [_Exit_ PATTY R. _Ralph_ (_shaking hands_). My dear Mrs. Graylock, this is jolly, to see you in such good spirits. Am I right? You have succeeded? (MRS. G. _shakes her head_.) No? _Mrs. G._ No, my dear friend; the enemy is still strongly intrenched behind the bulwarks of obstinacy, from which neither smiles, tears, nor reproaches can drive him. _Ralph._ And the assailing party, discomfited, is about to retire from the contest? _Mrs. G._ Never! We have inscribed upon our banners the motto, "Never say die!" _Ralph._ Good! You're the best friend a man ever had. But where's Alice? (_Enter_ ALICE L.) _Alice._ O Ralph, it's all over! He'll never give his consent. _Ralph._ Then, my dear Alice, we will do without it. An unexpected turn in business affairs to-day has made me as independent as a nabob. I should have liked your crusty old uncle's blessing; but, as he won't give it, we'll see Parson Clark, say next Tuesday, be married, take a journey to Niagara, and, on our return, settle quietly into married life. What's to hinder? _Mrs. G._ The crusty old uncle's wife. _Ralph._ Eh, my clear Mrs. Graylock! A thousand pardons for my levity. He is crusty, you are lovely. "In contrasts lieth love's delight," you know. You will place no bar to our union. _Mrs. G._ Stop. We have begun a battle: let's fight it out. If Alice marries without her _crusty_ old uncle's consent, where's her fortune? _Ralph._ Her fortune? I never knew she had one. "Her face is her fortune." _Mrs. G._ With ten thousand dollars with which to buy mirrors to see it in if she please. _Alice._ Why, Aunt Susy! I never heard of it. _Mrs. G._ Nor I. But it's true, for I've seen the papers. 'Twas left you by your father, to be paid when you should marry with Mr. Graylock's consent. _Ralph._ Why, this is charming! _Alice._ Do you think you like me any better, Ralph? _Ralph._ Ten thousand times! That is, you understand, I'm not mercenary; but you deserve it, you're such a dear, sweet, nice— _Mrs. G._ Attention, company! Business! I am going to gain his consent. Ralph, sit at that table, and write, if you please.