Corn. (R.) I never said she was broken off.
Mift. (comes down R. C.) I admit I took the engagement for the purpose, if it proved the same, of speaking with Mr. Griffin of my sister; and if he still loved her, to prepare him for the worst.
Corn. (with mock grief) What! Is she dead? My bonny Ethel, a thing of the past! Oh!
Falls into chair R. of table.
Mift. (crosses to Corney) No! No! Not that, Mr. Griffin; my sister still lives.
Corn. (rises) Oh, I see; you mean the worst if I refuse to compromise. Of course, it is to be regretted that mercenary motives should creep in, where once love reigned. And your case is not a strong one, Mr. Dunn will tell you——
Dunn. (at table, arranging his patterns under newspaper) No, Mr. Dunn won’t. Don’t drag me into your vile deceptions. I’ve enough to worry with my own.
Corn. Why can’t Ethel let by-gones be by-gones; she must know I was an impressionable young jackass; that we never could be happy together, at least I couldn’t, and she is very wrong, very wrong, to insist on marrying me.
Mift. (C.) She does not. How could she when she is already married?
Corn. (bus.) Married! Oh, Miss Mifton—oh—(aside) oh, this is lovely! (going to L. corner)