Scene V.—The same. Mrs. Atherton, L. C., Blanche, R., Eunice, C., and Mr. Warner, L., present. Also other guests conversing in groups. Eunice dressed in white, with a few simple flowers in her hair. Blanche dressed richly.
B. (beckoning to Mr. W., who comes to her, and speaking in a low but audible tone). Mr. Warner, I wish to introduce you to a cousin of mine, a rustic damsel, who has never been to the city before. She is fresh from the country, and I doubt not you will be greatly amused by her conversation. There she is near the piano.
Mr. Warner (surprised). What, that young lady so tastefully dressed! It cannot be! You are surely joking, Miss Atherton.
B. (smiling). You will discover by her conversation that I have spoken truly. But here we are.—Mr. Warner desires the honor of an introduction, Cousin Eunice. Miss Haynes—Mr. Warner.
(Blanche retires to another part of the stage, L. Eunice bows without any show of embarrassment.)
Mr. W. Have you been long in the city, Miss Haynes?
E. But a few days.
Mr. W. And how do you enjoy it?
E. You will perhaps laugh at my lack of taste, when I say that, in my judgment, it does not compare favorably with the country. City life is too artificial to satisfy me.
Mr. W. And yet city life has many advantages which you probably do not get in the country,—lectures, concerts, and the opera, for example.