[There is a knock on door Left. Yes? [Going to the door, opens it.] Oh, come in, sir. [Moves away.] Mr. Carley is here.

COAST. [Entering.] Where’s Miss Georgiana?

LIZZIE.  She’s dressing, sir.  She’ll be down in five or ten minutes.

[Goes out Right.

COAST. How are you?

[The two men nod a surly greeting.

STEVEN.  I’ve been looking for you all afternoon!

COAST. Didn’t you know I was coming here and going with your folks to the ball?

STEVEN.  I forgot!

[After a pause, both men look at each other.

Well, Sam, I’m done!  I’m done for good this time!

COAST. Sorry, but you can’t blame me.

[He sits in an arm-chair near the sofa.

STEVEN.  I do.  You told me you were going into this last business, but you didn’t tell me you were going to get right out again.

COAST.  ’Twasn’t my business to tell you that—­I didn’t advise you to go in!

STEVEN.  No, but you put me up to it all the same!

COAST. Not a bit!  The only time I advised you was some months ago, when you’d just lost Louise’s money,—­then I put you on to something, so you shouldn’t lose Georgiana’s.  Did you win?

STEVEN.  Yes, and broke my word to Georgiana.

COAST. Well, that’s her and your business, but it let me out!  From that time on you were on your own hook.

STEVEN.  You were always throwing out hints that you meant me to take.

COAST. Listen. [Rises and goes to STEVEN.] You can’t prove that!

STEVEN.  You know you led me into it, you know you did.  You tempted me in the first place to break my word of honor to my sister.  Whether you meant to or not, you did it, damn you—­and you’re a rich man, you’ve got millions, and can help me out!  Will you?

COAST. [Quietly.] No.

[Moves a little away toward the Left.

STEVE.  You’re my wife’s own cousin, and she’s a pauper and through no fault of her own.  Will you help me for her sake?

COAST. [Still quietly.] No.

STEVEN.  You’re in love with my sister, and she’s not got a cent of her own to-night through me.  Will you help me for her sake?

COAST. [Still quietly.] No!

STEVEN. [Going to him.] No?

COAST. No!

[Strong.

STEVEN.  Then damn you for a dirty blackguard!

COAST. [Laughs.] That’s pretty talk; I guess you got that from me too!

STEVEN. [Doggedly.] I’ll do more than talk!

[Turns away and goes up stage.

COAST. What?

STEVEN.  Wait and see.

COAST. Listen! if one thing happens, I’ll help you.

STEVEN. [Turning.] You mean Georgiana!

COAST. Yes, if she’ll marry me, I’ll make up to you every damn cent of hers you’ve got rid of.