Eliz. (starting up). There’s somebody in the room. (Goes to door at back, and looks in.) I knew she was up to something: I’ll find it out, see if I don’t.
[Exit 1 L. E.
Luc. (searching). Ah, here it is at last,—Charles Devereux. It’s he, it’s he! (She returns hastily, and bolts door.) Ah, how my heart beats! what shall I do now? (Thinking.) The fact is, he’s very nice, notwithstanding his nickname.
Cha. (entering, and falling into arm-chair). Another dream, that takes itself off to the land of dreams. (Striking table.) No, it’s always the same. If you were to go to a masked ball where there was only one woman—oh, love! oh, frenzy! the mask falls, ugh! no more love, no more frenzy. The woman’s ninety, and ugly as—heaven knows what.
Luc. He’s come in. (Calling at door.) Mr. King!
Cha. And such a voice!
Luc. Sir.
Cha. Woke her up, I suppose. Madam—
Luc. Sir, I should like to have a few words of explanation with you.
Cha. (running to fasten door). Oh, by jingo!