JOSEPHINE. Very well! (hurries out at R. H.).
BART. (watching her out, then taking miniature out and looking at it). My portrait! and what is written here? (Reading.) “From memory.” What am I to think? Can I dare to hope that her indifference was assumed—that she ever loved me—that she loves me still? Can such happiness be mine? Dear, dear Julia. But zounds! what about Josephine? Poor little girl! I can’t marry them both! What—what is to be done? (walking up and down). Will anybody tell me what’s to be done?
Enter ROYSTON hurriedly at C.
ROYS. (coming down). Oh, here you are! I couldn’t wait any longer! (following BARTON up and down).
BART. (impatiently). Don’t worry! don’t bother!
ROYS. (astonished). Bother! when I want to thank you for introducing me to this charming, amiable family, and to tell you I don’t despair of becoming one of it!
BART. What?
ROYS. In a word, I’m in love! There’s no mistake about it! Over head and ears in love!
BART. What, sir? you persist in carrying on this absurd, ridiculous joke?
ROYS. Joke?