I'll come back to _you_--that we'll go on, you and
I?

BETTY. [_Scornfully._] No--don't be afraid! You've shown yourself to me
to-day. That's all done with--finished. _His_ friend now--with the load
off you--but never _her_ husband. Never!

[HECTOR _comes bustling back, with the bottle of Hock, and a
wine-glass that he gives to_ BETTY--_she holds it, and he fills
it from the bottle._

HECTOR. Here you are, my girl--and now, where's my whiskey? [_He trots
round to the side table, finds his glass, and_ WALTER'S--_hands one to_
WALTER.] Here, Wallie--yours must be the one that's begun--I didn't have
time to touch mine! Here. [WALTER _takes it._] And forgive me, old man,
for thinking, even one minute--[_He wrings him by the hand._] Here's to
you, old friend. And Betty, to you! Oh, Lord, I just want this drink!

BETTY. [_In cold, clear tones, as she holds up her glass._] To Walter, the
Bachelor!

[_She drains her glass;_ WALTER _has his moment's hesitation; he
drinks, and with tremendous effort succeeds in composing his
face._

HECTOR. [_Gaily._] To Walter, the Bachelor! [_He drinks his glass to the
dregs and puts it down._] And now--for a game.

WALTER. I think I--

HECTOR. [_Coaxingly._] Sit down, laddie--just one rubber. It's quite
early. Do. There's a good chap. [_They all sit:_ HECTOR _at back,_ BETTY
_to the left of him,_ WALTER _to the right--he spreads out the cards--they
draw for partners._] As we are--you and Betty--I've got the dummy. [_He
shuffles the cards_--BETTY _cuts--he begins to deal._] That's how I like
it--one on each side of me. Also I like having dummy. Now, Betty, play
up. Oh, Lord, how good it is, how good! A nightmare, I tell you--terrible!
And really you must forgive me for being such an ass. But the way you
played up, both of you! My little Betty--a Duse, that's what she is--a
real Duse! [_He gathers up his cards._] And the gods are kind to me--I've
got a hand, I tell you! I call NO TRUMPS!

[_He beams at them--they are placidly sorting their cards. He
puts his hand down and proceeds to look at his dummy, as the
curtain falls._

CURTAIN

A MARRIAGE HAS BEEN ARRANGED....

THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY

MR. HARRISON CROCKSTEAD
LADY ALINE DE VAUX

_Produced at the
Garrick Theatre
on March 27, 1904_

A MARRIAGE HAS BEEN ARRANGED....

SCENE _The conservatory of No. 300 Grosvenor Square. Hour, close on
midnight. A ball