Enter Hilda, R. 2 E.
Dol. Don’t come back or I’ll—[Sees Hilda.] Oh!
Hil. [Comes forward quickly.] Oh, sir! You have come at last. What news have you—is it good or bad?
Dol. My dear child, I have both good and bad. I have searched the church register, but found no record of the marriage.
Hil. Alas! Then I have no hope. [Sobs.]
Dol. [Pulls out handkerchief.] Now don’t you cry—if you do I’ll throw up the case. [She continues to sob.] Didn’t I tell you my news was both good and bad?
Hil. [Looks up hopefully.] Yes! Yes!
Dol. But I found that about the time you were married a leaf was torn out—and I’ll stake my life that it was the record of your marriage.
Hil. But who could have done such a thing?