Mrs. Ly. Hold, Sir! would you use violence? Would you conceal your shame, by rage? Listen to me! Ere I quite decide upon my course, I will give you one opportunity of justifying yourself—one chance of a full and fair explanation. Promise me to be at home to-morrow,—I will not, in the mean time, allude to this matter, by a single word; no, no—till then I will conquer my feelings and be silent. I shall be sorry to proceed in the revenge that I contemplate; but should I have cause—remember, ’twas your own hand that cast down the fire-brand here; and if I do take it up, and set the home of our happiness in flames, you alone are to blame.
[Exit, R. H.
Lynx. What can she mean? Does she threaten me with retaliation? Who can have been here—through what channel can she have heard? But I must avoid all explanation; I dare not reveal aught connected with that unhappy girl.
Enter CODDLE, L. H.
Cod. Excuse my coming in so unceremoniously—I knew you were here—I saw you come home—merely called to oblige Mrs. Coddle. There’s that window still open; permit me to shut it.—(He crosses to R. H., and pulls down the window.)—Mrs. Lynx has hinted to my wife that a familiarity exists between you and her, and one that I ought not to shut my eyes to; now, I candidly confess that I have opened them as wide as I can, and what Mrs. Lynx can possibly see I am at a loss to guess. But entirely to oblige my wife, I call here, at the risk of my life—as I did not intend coming out any more to-day—to ask if such a familiarity really exists? Mrs. Coddle demands it, for my own satisfaction. If I am not satisfied, she insists on my fighting you; and if I am, she is determined to make Mrs. Lynx beg her pardon. Now, what is to be done?
Lynx. My dear Sir, you well know the temper of my wife, and the pains that she takes to make herself wretched. Be assured that her suspicions are groundless.
Cod. I know they are; and I am convinced it has all originated in my wife’s anxiety to excite me.
Lynx. A word with you;—(bringing CODDLE forward)—I left you here when I went out this morning—did any one call during your stay?
Cod. No one but Mr. and Mrs. Younghusband.
Lynx. (Aside.)—Surely they can’t have heard—no—no—yet they may. Ha, a thought strikes me. Sir, you have more than professed a friendship for me?