MRS. BROWN. To you—the idea! Hardly.
AUGUS. And why not, Mrs. Duval? Why may I not judge of your feelings by my own?—for as the needle is attracted by the pole—
MRS. BROWN. (interrupting him) Oh, dear me! Ha, ha, ha! really, Mr. Bobbins, you’ll be a gallant as long as you live. I am sorry to interrupt your ecstacies, but pray can I speak a word to Mrs. Bobbins?
AUGUS. To my wife?
MRS. BROWN. Yes—I understand she has come home?
AUGUS. Alas! yes.
MRS. BROWN. Alas? Why, you ought to be delighted! (sadly) How fortunate Mrs. Bobbins is to be happy at home with her husband. Ah, how I envy her.
AUGUS. (delighted) Envy her! Mrs. Duval!
MRS. BROWN. I do, indeed, with all my heart.
AUGUS. (endeavouring to put his arm round her waist) Dear Mrs. Duval! Oh, these words—this tender confession!