MRS. G. Hist, I hear him returning; run into my room and I’ll come to you presently. (draws down her veil)
Exit BETSY, 2 E. R.
Enter GREENFINCH, 3 E. L.
GREEN. I’ve ordered dinner at five; and now, my charming Countess—mysterious being, whom I have loved distractedly for three long weeks through that envious veil—permit me. (about to remove her veil, she motions him to desist) Well I won’t; delicacy forbids intrusion. However, I hope I may not be considered particularly inquisitive, if I beg to be informed why you and I should be here in Dieppe under such mysterious circumstances.
MRS. G. Oh, certainment, Monsieur Grinfeench, I sall confess to you dat I vas frappè vis your mug—dat is your superbe countenance in de vindere of your hotel.
GREEN. (aside) Struck by my superb countenance! a clear case of fascination. My dear Countess, it is no less extraordinary that whenever you were sitting in your balcony, I generally found myself flattening my nose against the centre pane of my window.
MRS. G. Oui, oui, I did regard your flat nose vare mosh, en attendant, it happen I did find myself in a position tres embarrasant—a situation of danger; I was in want of a friend—un ami.
GREEN. And you thought of me.
MRS. G. Oui, you were at de top of my mind—dat is, uppermost in my thoughts.
GREEN. Tender confession! and then you wrote to me this dear little note. (produces a note and kisses it) Imagine the indescribable emotion I experienced in my interior when I opened it and read these lines. (reads) “Interesting stranger, I am not insense to your merits, but circumstances demand secresy. I shall be wait for you this evening at nine o’clock in a post carriage outside the Barriere d’Enfer.—PAULINE, Countess de Rambuteau.” I hastened accordingly to the barrier at the hour named.