Lio. Stay and hear me. Stay—and be my wife!—
Lady H. Oh, what is he saying?
Lio. See, I am at your feet—in earnest now! (Kneels.)
Lady H. (aside). Oh, how can I elude him? (Begins to laugh.) Don't think me heartless, but really (affectedly) to see you kneeling there is so funny!
Lio. But when we are married all difference of birth and station will be wiped out; you will forget that you were once my servant; you will have in me forever a slave!
Lady H. (is touched, and then begins to laugh hysterically again). Ha! ha! ha! This is ridiculous! If you only knew how funny you are!
(Plunket runs on dragging Nancy. Lionel rises and Lady H. runs toward Nancy whom Plunket swings on to the stage.)
Plun. There, my girl! Don't you try that game again! Where do you suppose she was? the vixen! In the kitchen, smashing dishes, bottles, glasses, everything she could lay her hands on! She made me look lively, too, before I caught her. My eye!
Nan. If you don't let me go, I'll scratch it out!
Plun. (releasing her). Jupiter! I believe you would! She has spirit. I confess I like to see it.