Yes, sir--how?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

How do I know?

MRS. SYLVESTER and MRS. TEMPENNY.

What is all this? Oh, good gracious, the men have been fighting!

ROSALINE (_aside_).

_I_ know what it is--it's spoof.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

(_Rushing to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER). Charles--Charles, compose yourself!

MRS. TEMPENNY.

(_Rushing to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY). Rembrandt, be calm.

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

Don't interfere, Adelaide.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Eugenia, this concerns us alone. Mr. Sylvester accuses me--

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

Yes, sir, I accuse you--

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

(_Throwing himself upon him_). Ah!

(CHARLES SYLVESTER _throws him off_).

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

The best of wives--

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

Don't you dare to mention Mrs. Sylvester's name, sir!

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

I am talking about Mrs. Tempenny. I say you would lead the best of wives to suppose that I--I--introduced this creature into your room.

(_Weeps_.)

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

And through you I may be falsely suspected by Adelaide. (_Weeps_.)

(ROSALINE _whispers to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _aside_.)

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

(_Aside to_ ROSALINE.) Great Jupiter!

MRS. SYLVESTER.

All this is very fine--but who _is_ the man who brought her here if you didn't? Answer that.

MRS. TEMPENNY.

Yes, if neither of _you_ did it, who did? Where _is_ the man?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

(_Throwing open cupboard triumphantly and disclosing_ SCHERCL _covered with paint_.) There!

_Curtain_.

ACT III.

SCENE:--_Drawing-room at Tempenny's house._

TIME:--_Next day_.

(SUSAN _discovered dusting. As Curtain goes up bell is heard off_.)

SUSAN.

Was that the bell again? It is not the sort of place I am used to, this--where the master's afraid to see half the people who calls for him. I only hopes my wages is right. They was precious particular about _my_ references when they took me. Was I sober, honest and industrious, and the Lord knows what? Wish I'd been equal particular about theirs.

The master ain't remarkably industrious, that I do know, for he often don't paint nothing for a week at a time; and he frequently ain't sober. Whether or not he is honest I shall find out at the end of my month. (_Bell rings again_.) It _was_ the bell--I'd better go and see who it is.

(_Exit L_.)

HENRICH SCHERCL (_heard off_).

Mr. Tempenny in? Nonsense. Then I'll wait till he is.