MODESTY
TIME: The present.
SCENE: A drawing-room. Entrance, C; sofa, chairs, writing-desk. Jacques and Henriette enter C, from dinner. Henriette in ball costume, Jacques in evening dress. They come down C.
HENRIETTE. What is it? Is it so terribly embarrassing?
JACQUES. You can easily guess.
HENRIETTE. You're so long-winded. You make me weary—come to the point.
JACQUES. I'll risk all at a stroke—My dear Henriette, we are cousins. I am unmarried, you—a widow. Will you—will you be my wife?
HENRIETTE. Oh, my dear Jacques, what are you thinking of? We were such good friends! And now you're going to be angry.
JACQUES. Why?