MYRT. Then listen to me, Arthur Vallance. Let me see that you possess some energy, some enthusiasm, some strength of will, then I may, perhaps, give you a better answer. Good-morning.
[Goes out at C. towards R.
ARTH. (calling after). Stop, Myrtle! Do let me come and hand you up the hammer and tin-tacks! So! I’m to do something energetic, am I? Drown myself in the duck-pond? Yes!—no. I have it! I’ll say good-by to Fritterly, and cut this place at once! And then, Miss Vane, perhaps you’ll be sorry—perhaps you’ll regret that you didn’t let me hand you up the hammer and tin-tacks! Let me see, there’s an express to town at three. (Looking at his watch.) I can catch that. My traps can follow (hurrying up towards door L. H., and coming into collision with SIR FELIX, who enters at the same time).
SIR F. Holloa, old fellow, where the deuce are you off to in such a hurry?
ARTH. Don’t ask me—I’m going out of my mind!
SIR F. The deuce you are! Well, if I may judge by appearances, it won’t take you very long to get to the end of that journey! Confound it, man, will you explain?
ARTH. Well, you know the feelings I entertain towards Miss Vane?
SIR F. Myrtle? Yes.
ARTH. Well, you’ll hardly believe it; but when I proposed to her just now—
SIR F. You proposed to her? (astonished).