SCENE.—A conservatory in Zanden's house. The L. side of the stage as well as the whole back of the stage is taken up by large bay windows, through which one sees into the garden. In the distance the wall surrounding the house, and some trees in the garden. It is winter. Bright weather, but it has been snowing. In the garden as well as in the street, electric lamps. On the R. side of the stage there are two doors, one quite near to the footlights, leading into the apartment—one in the rear, leading to the hall. There is a platform about two yards long and two yards wide, between these two doors. Five steps lead from this platform towards the footlights, and five steps on the side of the platform to the middle of the stage. On the top of the platform a door leading to the ball-room. When this door is opened, one generally hears the ball music. At the foot of the stairs, about three yards from the footlights, two square columns having a brass ornament with eight electric lamps attached. There are heaps of plants and flowers about the room. Two chairs and a table stand on the R. side of the stage, about three yards from the footlights, two chairs and a table on the L. side of the stage, about five yards from the footlights. There are two settees, L. and R. On the table L. writing material. It is about one o'clock at night.
[Guests in fancy costumes are moving about as the Curtain goes up.
FIRST LADY GUEST, sitting L. of table R.
Who is the dark man you left so suddenly in the ball room?
SECOND LADY GUEST, enters and comes down stairs to back of table L.
I don't know his name.
FIRST LADY GUEST
A most disagreeable man.
SECOND LADY GUEST, crosses to group L. C.
Oh, dreadful! He behaved shockingly to my husband. He told him that it will be so cold tonight that his teeth will shiver in their box.