ADELA. No, thank you. FRANK. I must. (_drinks_) I require several glasses to cheer the cockles of my aged heart. (_fills again and drinks_) ADELA. (_aside_) What a strange old lady. (_aloud, seeing them on table_) Eh! a pipe and tobacco! FRANK. Yes, my love; my medical man orders me to smoke, because my poor husband has got the rheumatism. (_filling his pipe_) But if you object---- ADELA. Oh, dear, no; not at all. FRANK. (_lighting his pipe and smoking_) Ah, it's a great comfort for an aged creetur! (_rising_) Come here, my love. ADELA. (_rising and going to him_) Yes, madam. FRANK. I like you, my dear, and I'll be a mother to you--kiss me, my darling. (_putting his arm round her waist and kissing her_) ADELA. (_starting_) Eh? FRANK. What's the matter? ADELA. (_hesitating, and rubbing her cheek_) 'Tis very strange, but---- FRANK. (_aside_) Oh, I forgot I hadn't shaved to-day. ADELA. One would really think--oh, how you open your eyes and stare---- FRANK. (_resuming his natural voice_) The better to see you with, my dear. ADELA. (_frightened_) That voice! FRANK. The better to tell you that I love you--my dear-- ADELA. A man! who are you? FRANK. One who adores you! I am Frank--I mean Harry Mitchell. (_advancing to her, she eludes him and runs over to R._) ADELA. Oh, wretch, villain! oh, oh, oh! I am very ill--oh, oh! (_falls into chair_) FRANK. (_running about_) Oh, curse it! here's a mess I've made of it. ADELA. Oh, oh! FRANK. What must I do?--bite her finger, I suppose! ADELA. Oh, salts, vinegar! FRANK. Yes, yes--oh, I wonder where grandmother keeps her salt and vinegar! _Runs off, L. door--ADELAIDE jumps up, runs to the door and bolts it behind him--SIMON enters, R. door, tipsy, a bottle in his hand, and still wearing the morning gown and cap._ SIMON. (_singing_) Grief is a folly, We'll sing and be jolly! ADELA. Mr. Mitchell, in that dreadful state! SIMON. Where are you, Mr. Sir? it's me, Simon--you must wait upon yourself--I'm going to bed. ADELA. (_aside_) Simon! the servant, ah, I understand. (_aloud, to SIMON_) Oh, it is you, is it? SIMON. (_aside_) The young lady! (_dropping into easy chair and acting the old man again_) My wife will be back directly-- ADELA. (_pulling him from chair_) Yes; and Mr. Mitchell will also be back directly. SIMON. (_frightened and placing the bottle on easy chair_) Mr. Mitchell! ADELA. (C.) And I will tell him all! SIMON. (_on his knees_) Don't! I shall lose my place, before I have had time to redden my nose--'tisn't my fault--it's the keys of the cellar did it--and Mr. Harry---- ADELA. It was he who made you thus disguise yourself--confess and I forgive you! SIMON. (_rising_) Yes; he arrived this evening, on a visit to his grandfather and grandmother, whom he hasn't seen for twelve years; and as they went away this morning---- ADELA. He hasn't encountered them? SIMON. How was he to do it, I should like to know.