That's all right. (_Aside to_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY:) Rosaline's downstairs--wanting to see you. Where is your wife?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Out. (_To_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) That poor girl has followed you here.

Perhaps out of pity you ought to go down to her and say a kind word.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

Miss Rosaline--she is here? Well, I never! Yes, I will go down and speak to her. Where is she?

(_Enter_ ROSALINE _L_.)

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_).

d.a.m.n it, in the drawing-room! Look here, Schercl, you can't go till _she_ does. If my wife comes in and finds her, she is your affair.

Don't leave her for Heaven's sake.

ROSALINE.

Good morning, gentlemen. Oh, Mr. Schercl! What a pleasure--how _do_ you do?

HENRICH SCHERCL.

I am very well, I thank you. And you?--I need not ask, you look most beautiful.

ROSALINE (_aside_).

Dear man!

HENRICH SCHERCL.

(_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Why is Tempenny so afraid his wife should see her? You too--why are _you_ so afraid? Is she not of a good character, this Miss Rosaline?

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) The girl is a paragon. They are jealous of her, that's all. She is too good-looking for 'em.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

Ha, ha, I see!

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

I think we'll leave you, old man. Rosaline, Mr. Schercl, has something to say to you--we shall be in the way. (_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER.) Come on, old chap--I wouldn't risk being found in the room again with the girl for a monkey.

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

Yes, I have some business to discuss with Mr. Tempenny. If you will excuse us--

(_Exit R._)

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

(_Aside to_ HENRICH SCHERCL.) Take her away soon, there's a trump, or there will be another row. I give you five minutes to get her out of the house, Take her to breakfast--or--or--wherever you like, only hurry! (_Exit L._)

ROSALINE.

How funny to be left alone like this, isn't it, I really called to know when Mr. Tempenny proposed to continue the sittings. Do you know?

HENRICH SCHERCL.

No, I have no idea. But I am very glad you called--our conversation yesterday was so inderrupted.

ROSALINE.

Yes, and we were getting on so nicely too, weren't we? Do you like my new hat? I bought it out of the tenner you gave me. What do you think of the bow--isn't it a duck?

HENRICH SCHERCL.

You do not sit to Mr. Tempenny in a hat, I think.

ROSALINE.

In a--? Oh no, not in--. The subject is cla.s.sical.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

Zo I understand (_he sighs_).

ROSALINE (_sighing_).

Ah!

HENRICH SCHERCL.

Why do you sigh? You are not happy?

ROSALINE.

Did I sigh? I was thinking.

HENRICH SCHERCL (_sighing_).

Heigho!

ROSALINE.

But now it is _you_ who sighs. Aren't _you_ happy?