CHARLES SYLVESTER.

Don’t interfere, Adelaide.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Eugenia, this concerns us alone.  Mr. Sylvester accuses me—­

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

Yes, sir, I accuse you—­

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

(Throwing himself upon him).  Ah!

(CHARLES SYLVESTER throws him off).

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

The best of wives—­

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

Don’t you dare to mention Mrs. Sylvester’s name, sir!

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

I am talking about Mrs. Tempenny.  I say you would lead the best of wives to suppose that I—­I—­introduced this creature into your room. (Weeps.)

CHARLES SYLVESTER.

And through you I may be falsely suspected by Adelaide. (Weeps.)

(ROSALINE whispers to REMBRANDT TEMPENNY aside.)

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

(Aside to ROSALINE.) Great Jupiter!

MRS. SYLVESTER.

All this is very fine—­but who is the man who brought her here if you didn’t?  Answer that.

MRS. TEMPENNY.

Yes, if neither of you did it, who did?  Where is the man?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

(Throwing open cupboard triumphantly and disclosing SCHERCL covered with paint.) There!

Curtain.

ACT III.

SCENE:—­Drawing-room at Tempenny’s house.

TIME:—­Next day.

(SUSAN discovered dusting.  As Curtain goes up bell is heard off.)

SUSAN.

Was that the bell again?  It is not the sort of place I am used to, this—­where the master’s afraid to see half the people who calls for him.  I only hopes my wages is right.  They was precious particular about my references when they took me.  Was I sober, honest and industrious, and the Lord knows what?  Wish I’d been equal particular about theirs.  The master ain’t remarkably industrious, that I do know, for he often don’t paint nothing for a week at a time; and he frequently ain’t sober.  Whether or not he is honest I shall find out at the end of my month. (Bell rings again.) It was the bell—­I’d better go and see who it is.

(Exit L.)

HENRICH SCHERCL (heard off).

Mr. Tempenny in?  Nonsense.  Then I’ll wait till he is.

SUSAN (expostulating).

But, sir, if you please, sir, really—­

(Enter HENRICH SCHERCL followed by SUSAN.)

HENRICH SCHERCL.

I tell you I mean to see him.  Now let us have the truth, girl, where is he?

SUSAN.

Mr. Tempenny, sir?

HENRICH SCHERCL.

“Mr. Tempenny, sir?” Yes, ma’am, who else?  Now, is he at home?

SUSAN.

No, sir, he isn’t; he has gone out.