Mel. You like the box--a trifle--interesting perhaps from associations--
a present from Louis XIV. to my great-great grandmother.
Honor me by--accepting it.

Beau. plucking him by the sleeve. How!--what the devil!
My box--are you mad? It is worth five hundred louis.

Mel. [unheeding him, and turning to PAULINE]. And you like this ring?
Ah, it has, indeed a lustre since your eyes have shone on it
placing it on her finger. Henceforth hold me, sweet enchantress,
the Slave of the Ring.

Gla. [pulling him]. Stay, stay--what are you about?
My maiden aunt's legacy--a diamond of the first water.
You shall be hanged for swindling, sir.

Mel. [pretending not to hear]. It is curious, this ring;
it is the one with which my grandfather, the Doge of Venice,
married the Adriatic!

(Madame and PAULINE examine the ring. Mel. [to BEAUSEANT and
GLAVIS]. Fie, gentlemen! princes must be generous?--[Turns to DAMAS,
who watches them closely.] These kind friends have my interest
so much at heart, that they are as careful of my property as if it
were their own!

Beau and Gla. [confusedly]. Ha! ha!--very good joke that!

[Appears to remonstrate with MELNOTTE in dumb show.