Ch. We must be patient, dear Belinda. Minnie, my own, we must be patient. After all, is the situation so very terrible? Each of you has an even chance of becoming my wife, and in the mean time I look upon myself as engaged to both of you. I shall make no distinction. I shall love you both, fondly, and you shall both love me. My affection shall be divided equally between you, and we will be as happy as three little birds.
Miss T. (wiping her eyes). You are very kind and thoughtful, dear Cheviot.
Min. I believe, in my simple little way, that you are the very best man in the whole world!
Ch. (deprecatingly). No, no.
Min. Ah, but do let me think so: it makes me so happy to think so!
Ch. Does it? Well, well, be it so. Perhaps I am! And now tell me, how has the time passed since I left? Have my darlings been dull?
Miss T. We should have been dull indeed but for the airy Belvawney. The sprightly creature has done his best to make the lagging hours fly. He is an entertaining rattlesnake—I should say, rattletrap.
Ch. (jealous). Oh, is he so? Belvawney has been making the hours fly, has he? I’ll make him fly, when I catch him!
Min. His conjuring tricks are wonderful!
Ch. Confound his conjuring tricks!