H. Never saw it lay better, Mr. George. (_AUSTIN proceeds to wind
first cravat. A bell: exit MENTEITH. AUSTIN drops first cravat in basket
and takes second._)

AUSTIN (_winding and singing_)--

"I'd crowns resign
To call her mine,
Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill!"

(_Second cravat a failure. Re-enter MENTEITH with card._) Fenwick? of
Allonby Shaw? A good family, Menteith, but I don't know the gentleman.
(_Lays down card, and takes up third cravat._) Send him away with every
consideration.

MENTEITH. To be sure, Mr. George. (_He goes out. Third cravat a success.
Re-enter MENTEITH._) He says, Mr. George, that he has an errand from
Miss Musgrave.

AUSTIN (_with waistcoat_). Show him in, Menteith, at once. (_Singing and
fitting waistcoat at glass_)--

"I'd crowns resign
To call her mine,
Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill!"

SCENE IV

_AUSTIN, R. To him, MENTEITH and FENWICK_

MENTEITH (_announcing_). Mr. Fenwick, Mr. George.

AUSTIN. At the name of Miss Musgrave, my doors fly always open.

FENWICK. I believe, sir, you are acquainted with my cousin, Richard
Gaunt?

AUSTIN. The county member? An old and good friend. But you need not go
so far afield: I know your good house of Allonby Shaw since the days of
the Black Knight. We are, in fact, and at a very royal distance,
cousins.

FENWICK. I desired, sir, from the nature of my business, that you should
recognise me for a gentleman.

AUSTIN. The preliminary, sir, is somewhat grave.

FENWICK. My business is both grave and delicate.

AUSTIN. Menteith, my good fellow. (_Exit MENTEITH._) Mr. Fenwick, honour
me so far as to be seated. (_They sit._) I await your pleasure.

FENWICK. Briefly, sir, I am come, not without hope, to appeal to your
good heart.

AUSTIN. From Miss Musgrave?

FENWICK. No, sir, I abused her name, and am here upon my own authority.
Upon me the consequence.

AUSTIN. Proceed.

FENWICK. Mr. Austin, Dorothy Musgrave is the oldest and dearest of my
friends; is the lady whom for ten years it has been my hope to make my
wife. She has shown me reason to discard that hope for another: that I
may call her Mrs. Austin.

AUSTIN. In the best interests of the lady (_rising_) I question if you
have been well inspired. You are aware, sir, that from such interference
there is but one issue: to whom shall I address my friend?

FENWICK. Mr. Austin, I am here to throw myself upon your mercy. Strange
as my errand is, i