Stuart. Why, your conditions are almost in the nature of a challenge. Now you know, of course, Mrs. Van Tromp, that I don’t love you, yet you make me want to enter the rather formidable competition just to see if I couldn’t get the better of you.
Mrs. V. T. (laughing). Well, I have no wish to balk you. But it must be a game of forfeits. If you fail, you must pay a penalty.
Stuart. Isn’t failure to win Mrs. Van Tromp penalty enough?
Mrs. V. T. Not to so confirmed a bachelor as Mr. Stuart. Come, if you beat me, I will do any one thing you wish; if you are beaten, you must do the one thing I wish. Is it a bargain?
Stuart. Done! (Kissing Mrs. V. T.’s hand.) Perdition have my soul!
Mrs. V. T. And now for my domino.
[Hurries up and exits l. d.
Stuart (at l. d.). But, Mrs. Van Tromp, you haven’t told me in what I am to beat you?
[Exit Stuart, l. d.
Enter Charlie and Agnes, b. d.