MILLIKEN.--Come! let us have a game at whist. Touchit, will you make a
fourth? They go on so every night almost. Ain't it a pity, now?

TOUCHIT.--Miss Prior generally plays, doesn't she?

MILLIKEN.--And a very good player, too. But I thought you might like it.

TOUCHIT.--Well, not exactly. I don't like sixpenny points, Horace, or
quarrelling with old dragons about the odd trick. I will go and smoke
a cigar on the terrace, and contemplate the silver Thames, the darkling
woods, the starry hosts of heaven. I--I like smoking better than playing
whist. [MILLIKEN rings bell.]

MILLIKEN.--Ah, George! you're not fit for domestic felicity.

TOUCHIT.--No, not exactly.

HOWELL enters.

MILLIKEN.--Lights and a whist-table. Oh, I see you bring 'em. You know
everything I want. He knows everything I want, Howell does. Let us cut.
Miss Prior, you and I are partners!




ACT II.


SCENE.--As before.