GEORGIANA.  Yes, and I’m going to marry him.

COAST. [Turning quickly.] Has he asked you?

GEORGIANA.  Yes!  To-day!

[Showing her letter. MRS. CARLEY sits on the sofa.

COAST. [Angry, to LOUISE.] Then you bring suit against Steve and I’ll back you up,—­I’ll bet you I’ll get your case!

LOUISE.  But Steve hasn’t any money.

COAST. No, but you can show him up!  You can blackguard his name for him! 
You can disgrace him in the papers!

LOUISE.  But I don’t want to do that!  It would only make things worse.

GEORGIANA.  Good, Louise!

COAST. I’ll bet the bank and Steve’s brokers won’t be so soft-hearted.

GEORGIANA.  There’s this house for the bank.

MRS. CARLEY. [Crying.] This house! I shall die!

[GEORGIANA goes to her.

GEORGIANA.  Oh, no, you won’t; you’ll live very happily in a nice little flat, with two servants and a polite elevator boy in buttons.

MRS. CARLEY. [Pitifully.] Louise!

GEORGIANA.  And Mr. Caldwell I am going to see at the ball to-night.  I believe he will help us if he can.

LOUISE.  You’re going to the ball?  In spite of everything?

GEORGIANA.  Yes, we must.  Let’s have as little talk about the whole thing as possible.  Steve’s had bad luck!  The people mustn’t think there’s anything we’re ashamed of.  There isn’t anything.

COAST. Oh, isn’t there?

GEORGIANA.  No.

[LOUISE gets the smelling salts from the table for MRS. CARLEY.

MRS. CARLEY.  It’s true; so long as we’ve lost everything else, I don’t see why she should lose the ball too!

[Using the smelling salts.

LOUISE.  And I suppose we really ought to be seen there, or lots of people will never believe we were asked.

COAST. Well, I guess this is where I get out.  I’ll strike one of those musical comedies!  I think ragtime will be good enough for me to-night, instead of a neck and arm circus.  You won’t want me for escort after all this?

LOUISE.  You can please yourself, Sam.

COAST. Not exactly; I guess this is the day I try sour grapes. [Goes to door Left,—­he turns.] When’s Coleman coming back, Georgiana?

GEORGIANA.  I don’t know.

COAST. Oh! [Goes to STEVEN at mantel.] Steve—­listen—­how long are they holding that rotten stock of yours for you?

STEVEN. [Laughs.] Ha! till to-morrow noon.

COAST. Well, cheer up, I’ll send her up ten points for you by eleven. [Slaps him on the back.] See you all later, maybe, if my show’s dull.

[And with a side glance at GEORGIANA he goes out Left.

MRS. CARLEY. [Rises.] I only wish to heaven Sam Coast wanted to marry me!

LOUISE.  Mother!  Come, let’s finish dressing.