Adrienne. Did you arrange the flowers on the table, as I desired?
Hil. Yes, my lady!
Adri. [Sits on bench, R. 3 E.] What a beautiful evening! All nature seems hushed, as if it had gone to sleep on the broad bosom of the day. [Sighs.] Hilda, were you ever in love?
Hil. [Standing L. of bench.] Yes—no—that is, I—I—
Adri. [Laughs.] Why, you silly little goose. You act as if it were a crime to be in love. You tremble like a leaf.
Hil. I—I am cold. The night air is chilly. If you’ll excuse me, I will go in and get a shawl.
Adri. Oh, certainly. [Hilda is about to go.] Hilda, when you go in, peep into the parlor and see if Ralph—I mean, Mr. Murdell, has arrived.
Hil. Yes, madam! [R. C. Aside.] She loves him; she cannot hide it. [Exit R. 3 E.]
Adri. He is late! What can detain him? He begged for the honor of the first dance. The third has already been danced and he is not here. Oh! how slowly the minutes glide. Ah! he comes at last.