HENRICH SCHERCL.

I have not ever in my life seen a young lady who did make me feel for her the strange attraction that I feel for you, Rosie.  I am jealous of this Mr. Tempenny.

ROSALINE.

Jealous!  Do you mean you are in love with me? (Aside.) Oh, my goodness, what a joke!

HENRICH SCHERCL.

And if I did, would you laugh at me?  Supposing I was to say to you—­“Rosie, I would like to marry you,” what would you answer?

ROSALINE.

Say it, and see. (Aside.) He’s in earnest.  I do believe.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

I am a very rich man.  I could give you lots of such hats, and jewellery, and a big house.

ROSALINE (sentimentally).

I wish that you were poor.

HENRICH SCHERCL (in a fright).

No, no, for goodness sake, don’t say that!  Why?

ROSALINE.

You would not doubt my sincerity then.  Now, you may think—­

HENRICH SCHERCL.

No, no, I do believe you.  Do you care for me a little, Rosie?

ROSALINE (archly).

Perhaps I do—­a little.  No, you are making game of me! (Turns up.)

HENRICH SCHERCL.

I am not—­I am not!  I love you desperately.  Rosie, will you be my wife. 
Say “yes” my darling.

ROSALINE.

Yes.  Now you may kiss me.

HENRICH SCHERCL (kissing her).

This is paradise.  And Rosie—­

ROSALINE.

Yes, Mr. Schercl.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

Ah, no, you must say Heinrich.

ROSALINE.

Yes—­Heinrich?

HENRICH SCHERCL.

You will not sit to Mr. Tempenny any more?  It is not fit, now that you are to be Mrs. Schercl, that you should earn your living in such a way.

ROSALINE (doubtfully).

He will be very disappointed.  He can’t finish “Susannah” without me, and if he don’t finish it, he won’t get the two hundred pounds.

(Enter MRS. SYLVESTER and MRS. TEMPENNY. L. dressed for walking.)

MRS. TEMPENNY.

Sir!

HENRICH SCHERCL.

Ah, my friend Tempenny’s wife.  And Mrs. Sylvester—­how do you do?

MRS. SYLVESTER.

This creature again?

MRS. TEMPENNY.

By what right, sir, do you bring this person again—­and into my private house.

ROSALINE.

Creature!  Stand up for me, Heinrich.

HENRICH SCHERCL.

I will, my treasure. (To MRS. TEMPENNY.) I must trouble you, my good madam, to speak in terms of more respect of a lady who will shortly be my wife.

MRS. TEMPENNY }
               } (aside). 
MRS. SYLVESTER }

Schercl’s wife!  We must be very civil to her!

HENRICH SCHERCL.

Let me introduce you:  Mrs. Tempenny, Mrs. Sylvester—­the future Mrs.
Heinrich Schercl.