"I understand; as long as you have the run of the London market, you can treat Colonial playwrights as you choose?"
"You've stated the case exactly."
"It's an unfair advantage."
"No doubt, but business is business. I hold the trump card."
"It's a bad lookout for the literary and musical future of Australia when such men as you hold the cards," said Ezra gloomily; "but it's no use arguing the case. I've heard all this sort of thing before. The Australians are too busy making money to trouble about such a contemptible thing as literary work."
"I'll tell you what, Mortimer," broke in Caprice, "give them two pounds a night for the piece."
"Not I."
"Yes you will, or I don't show at the Bon-Bon."
"You forget your engagement, my dear," said Mortimer complacently.
"No, I don't," retorted Kitty, snapping her fingers; "that for my engagement. I don't care if I broke it to-morrow. You've got your remedy, no doubt; try it, and see what you'll make of it."