_Man._ Delightful! Two good dispositions out of five. The proportion is enormous! _Des._ I'm glad you look at things so hopefully. When will you be ready to accompany me to the Chateau? _Man._ To-morrow--to-day. _Des._ To-morrow will do. I shall be here for you early. [_Going._ _Man._ I shall be ready. _Des._ [_Runs against MADAME V. who is coming in._] Confound it, woman, take care! _Mad. V._ Why, Doctor, you ran against me. _Des._ I didn't! _Mad. V._ You did! _Man._ What's the matter now? _Des._ Eat your dinner! END OF TABLEAU I. TABLEAU II. _A Saloon with bay windows opening on a Terrace, from which steps descend to lawn and grounds at back--Piano, R. U. E.--Books, Papers, Vases, &c., &c._ _DE BEVANNES, DR. DESMARETS, MAD. LAROQUE, MARGUERITE, MADEMOISELLE HELOUIN, MAD. AUBREY discovered. As Curtain rises, M. DE BEVANNES is conversing with several young ladies on the terrace at back. DESMARETS reading paper, L. C. MADAME LAROQUE wrapped in furs, L. reading a book. MARGUERITE near her mother, at tapestry work. MADAME AUBREY, R. C. knitting. MAD'LLE HELOUIN arranging flowers in vase, R. Great talking and laughing from the party on the terrace as the curtain rises._ _Bevannes._ Very well, very well, young ladies, if you insist upon it. The ladies are determined on a waltz on the terrace. _Madame Laroque._ What! in the broiling sun? _Bev._ The roses do not fear the sun. Why should the lilies? _Ladies_ [_all courtesey._] Oh, how pretty. _Bev._ Yes, rather neat, I think. [_To MARGUERITE_] Mademoiselle, may I hope for the honor? _Mar._ Thank you. Despite your pretty speech, I confess to a fear of waltzing in the sun. But I'll play for you with pleasure. [_Goes towards Piano, R._ _Bev._ [_Aside to her._] Always cruel. [_To M'LLE HELOUIN_,] Mademoiselle, may I request the pleasure? _Mlle Helouin._ Oh! certainly. _Bev._ [_Aside to her._] Ever kind. [_MARGUERITE plays--they waltz and gradually disappear._ _Mad. L._ Have you seen my new conservatory, Doctor? _Des._ No, Madame. _Mad. L._ Well, I must show it to you, if I can drag myself so far. _Des._ Drag? Why, good gracious! You're the picture of health this morning--fresh as a rose. _Mad. L._ Fresh? Frozen. It's a curious fact, Doctor, that since I left the Antilles, twenty years ago, I have never yet known what it was to feel comfortably warm. _Des._ That accounts for your continued good looks. Consult your Cookery Book, page 18. If you want to preserve things fresh, you must keep them cold. And you, Madame, [_To MADAME AUBREY_] how do _you_ find yourself? _Madame Aubrey._ Very weak, Doctor. I ate a tolerable breakfast this morning. _Des._ [_Aside._] You may say that. Three eggs and a broiled chicken. _Mad. A._ And I feel a fullness-- _Des._ [_Aside._] I should think so. _Mad. A._ In the head. _Des._ Ah!