ROSALINE.

Not much.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Ah, that shows your profound ignorance of the School.  It promises to be a superb example. (Contemplates it sideways.) Exquisite!

ROSALINE.

I say, where is your friend?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Who?

ROSALINE.

Didn’t you say this studio belonged to a friend of yours?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Oh yes; he hasn’t come yet.  I expect he will be here this afternoon.

ROSALINE.

What’s this? (picking up Mandarin’s Wig.) One of his props?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

That?  That is a Mandarin’s wig.  Yes, of course it is one of his props. 
He has just been engaged on a great work:  “The Decapitation of a
Mandarin after a Chinese Reverse.”  The gentleman who sat for the
Mandarin wore that wig.

ROSALINE.

What a funny subject to choose.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Rather playful, isn’t it?  He likes ’em like that.  That’s his forte.

ROSALINE.

What is his name—­do I know him?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Charlie Sylvester; and a rattling good chap he is, let me tell you.

ROSALINE (with a shriek).

Oh, my heart!  This is fate!

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (alarmed.)

I beg your pardon?  Don’t go off like that.  What’s the matter?

ROSALINE.

It is He—­He who—!  Oh, I am going to faint.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

No,—­no, for goodness’ sake, don’t do that.  What do you mean by “he?”
Here, I say, compose yourself.

ROSALINE.

It is the man I love.  The finger of Fate is in it.  Where is he?  Bring him to me!  Charlie, my own!

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (very flustered).

Oh I say—­look here, you know—? (Aside.) This is the devil and all—­Charlie will never forgive me! (Aloud.) My dear good girl, he isn’t your “own,” I assure you he isn’t.  There is a Mrs. Sylvester, as you know very well. (Aside.) If he comes in and finds her here, there’s an end of all my sittings.  What a piece of infernal luck to be sure!

ROSALINE (resolutely).

Where is he?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (sullenly).

I don’t know—­I suppose he is at home.

ROSALINE.

Fetch him then—­let me see his dear face again.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

What???

ROSALINE.

Bring him to me—­now, this instant!  We have been divided too long already.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

You have, have you?

ROSALINE.

Far, far too long.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (aside).

I must humour her. (Aloud.) Well, perhaps you have, on second thoughts.  Yes, it is a long time.