MRS. J. (_aside to him_) Yes—but no relation to the twopenny postman, on my honour. BROWN. (_after a short pause and eyeing O’WALKER with a savage earnestness, then approaching him and in a loud whisper_) So, sir!—— O’WALKER. I very much regret that most important business with the Austrian Ambassador—— (_going_) BROWN. (_grasping his arm and stopping him_) His Excellency must wait. So, sir, _you_ are the friend of your intimate friend’s friend after all, are you? I thank you, John Horatio, for the information, as it will enable me to redeem my promise of immediately sweeping him off the surface of the earth. O’WALKER. Be it so, but I claim an Irishman’s right of making his last speech. (_going towards L. and speaking off_) Will any one oblige me by stopping the first omnibus that goes near the Surrey Zoological Gardens, for the purpose of conveying this gentleman back to his cage. (_pointing to BROWN_) _Enter PATTY, L.—overhears O’WALKER._ PATTY. Who? my B. B.! (_running to BROWN_) Let any one lay a finger on my intended, if they dare! (_flourishing her clogs_) MRS. J. Cousin Brown, your intended!—then why shouldn’t the two weddings take place together? Come, Cousin Brown, give your consent—Mr. O’Walker’s moral character will bear the strictest scrutiny. PATTY. Like my B. B.’s. (_BROWN gives a savage laugh and looks at O’WALKER_) FANNY. And I am the only woman he ever loved. (_goes up_) PATTY. Like my B. B. again. (_tenderly to BROWN—goes up_) BROWN. Indeed!—the only woman he ever loved! ha, ha, ha, ha! (_with a fierce look at O’WALKER, and slowly drawing the packet of letters from his pocket_) Of that I have abundant proof in these letters, which—— O’WALKER. (_suddenly grasping BROWN’S arm and aside to him_) Betray me and I’ll instantly acquaint your intended wife with her B. B.’s little eccentricities at a certain little tobacconist’s shop in Little Windmill Street. BROWN. (_aside to him_) Pooh! she won’t believe you! O’WALKER. Probably not; consequently, I shall refer her to you or rather to this letter— (_producing BROWN’S letter_) to the “loveliest of Amelias” from the “fondest of Browns.” BROWN. Hush!—she’d tear my eyes out!—we are both standing on the edge of a frightful precipice. O’WALKER. We are; one step more, and over you go. BROWN. And over _you_ go. O’WALKER. In other words, over _we_ go. BROWN. There’s only one thing to be done—let’s exchange letters. O’WALKER. Agreed. BROWN. Here are yours! (_gives packet of letters to O’WALKER_) O’WALKER. And here’s yours—(_about to give BROWN the letter, stops_) Stop! You consent to my marriage with Fanny? BROWN. No! (_in a loud tone to O’WALKER_) O’WALKER. Very well. Ahem! (_opening letter and about to read_) BROWN. (_very loud_) I do consent! O’WALKER. (_to the OTHERS_) He does consent! (_aside to BROWN and about to give him the letter_) There—(_stops_) Stop! (_aloud_) With a wedding portion of one thousand pounds? BROWN. No—no! (_aside to O’WALKER_)