Nig. Hush! Go on.
All. Go on.
Pin. (Continuing.) “When the selections are made and announced, let each gentleman fall gallantly on his knee to the object of his choice, and at that moment the lady of the house will appear.” There, now, what’s to be done?
Nig. The lady’s command must of course be obeyed!
All. Certainly—certainly.
Dam. Aha! Aha! Now Hymen’s torch is indeed blazing away in the midst of us. Burn your wings, ye infatuated moths, do! Bob blindly into the flame, and experience all the agonies I have long pictured to you—I’ll set you the example! Here—here is paper—pens too! Write—write—and seal your miseries!
[DAMPER goes to the centre table, and supplies the group with writing paper; they take pens, go to the tables where they were before seated, and write, looking towards the object of their choice.
Dam. Have you done?
All. Yes, yes.
Dam. Place your papers on this table—the women by themselves, the gentlemen by themselves—I’ll officiate as parish clerk and publish what banns I may!