The Winged Beetle

196 MR TODD MRS. OSSORY. Tête-à-tête ! But would that be quite proper, Professor ? CARR. How very English !—all you English think that. But—royalty has its own etiquette. [Enter CHARLEY. Come along, Charley boy, and show me how the new engine works ! Never mind that old frump of a Duchess, Mrs. Ossory— perhaps Mr. Todd may call. [Goes out with CHARLEY. MRS. OSSORY. I do hope he meant it. But he’s such a terrible man for pulling legs, as they call it.—I can’t think where Euphemia picks up all her slang !—If that plain, quiet man should really be a crowned King ! Oh ! how I would frown at her ! Ah ! ah ! Somebody coming. [Enter THOMAS. THOMAS. Mr. Todd. [Enter TODD. MRS. OSSORY. Oh, my dear Mr. Todd, I am so glad to see you ! I’m in such distress ! You will help me, won’t you ? [TODD bows, smiles, and whispers in her ear. She smiles all over. TODD offers his arm. She goes out on it, giggling and wriggling with pleasure. Enter EUPHEMIA. EUPHEMIA. I wonder where mother is ! No, I don’t want her. I’m too happy. How I love him ! How proud I am—when another girl would be so shamed ! I love him ! I love him ! Oh, what a world of ecstasy is this ! To be his, and he mine ! to be—oh ! oh ! I can- not bear the joy of it. I want to sit down and have a good cry. [Sits, crying and laughing with the joy of it.]