MISS SUSAN. How marvellous! Oh, Phoebe.
PHOEBE. Perhaps I should not do it, but it is so easy. I have but to put on the old wedding-gown and tumble my curls out of the cap.
(_Pa.s.sionately._) Sister, am I as changed as he says I am?
MISS SUSAN. You almost frighten me.
(_The band is heard._)
PHOEBE. The music is calling to us. Susan, I will celebrate Waterloo in a little ball of my own. See, my curls have begun to dance, they are so anxious to dance. One dance, Susan, to Phoebe of the ringlets, and then I will put her away in her box and never look at her again.
Ma"am, may I have the honour? Nay, then I shall dance alone. (_She dances._) Oh, Susan, I almost wish I were a goose.
(_Presently_ PATTY _returns. She gazes at_ MISS PHOEBE _dancing._)
PATTY. Miss Phoebe!
PHOEBE (_still dancing_). Not Miss Phoebe, Patty. I am not myself to-night, I am--let me see, I am my niece.
PATTY (_in a whisper to_ SUSAN). But Miss Susan, "tis Captain Brown.
MISS SUSAN. Oh, stop, Phoebe, stop!
PATTY. Nay, let him see her!
(MISS SUSAN _hurries scandalised into the other room as_ VALENTINE _enters._)
VALENTINE. I ventured to come back because---- (PHOEBE _turns to him--he stops abruptly, bewildered._) I beg your pardon, madam, I thought it was Miss Susan or Miss Phoebe.
(_His mistake surprises her, but she is in a wild mood and curtsies, then turns away and smiles. He stares as if half-convinced._)
PATTY (_with an inspiration_). "Tis my mistresses" niece, sir; she is on a visit here.
(_He is deceived. He bows gallantly, then remembers the object of his visit. He produces a bottle of medicine._)
VALENTINE. Patty, I obtained this at the apothecary"s for Miss Phoebe"s headache. It should be taken at once.
PATTY. Miss Phoebe is lying down, sir.
VALENTINE. Is she asleep?
PATTY (_demurely_). No, sir, I think she be wide awake.
VALENTINE. It may soothe her.
PHOEBE. Patty, take it to Aunt Phoebe at once.
(_PATTY goes out sedately with the medicine._)
VALENTINE (_after a little awkwardness, which_ PHOEBE _enjoys_).
Perhaps I may venture to present myself, Miss--Miss----?
PHOEBE. Miss--Livvy, sir.
VALENTINE. I am Captain Brown, Miss Livvy, an old friend of both your aunts.
PHOEBE (_curtsying_). I have heard them speak of a dashing Mr. Brown.
But I think it cannot be the same.
VALENTINE (_a little chagrined_). Why not, ma"am?
PHOEBE. I ask your pardon, sir.
VALENTINE, I was sure you must be related. Indeed, for a moment the likeness--even the voice----
PHOEBE (_pouting_). La, sir, you mean I am like Aunt Phoebe. Every one says so--and indeed "tis no compliment.
VALENTINE. "Twould have been a compliment once. You must be a daughter of the excellent Mr. James Throssel who used to reside at Great Buckland.
PHOEBE. He is still there.
VALENTINE. A tedious twenty miles from here, as I remember.
PHOEBE. La! I have found the journey a monstrous quick one, sir.
(_The band is again heard. She runs to the window to peep between the curtains, and his eyes follow her admiringly._)
VALENTINE (_eagerly_). Miss Livvy, you go to the ball?
PHOEBE. Alas, sir, I have no card.
VALENTINE. I have two cards for your aunts. As Miss Phoebe has the headache, your Aunt Susan must take you to the ball.
PHOEBE. Oh, oh! (_Her feet move to the music._) Sir, I cannot control my feet.
VALENTINE. They are already at the ball, ma"am; you must follow them.
PHOEBE (_with all the pent-up mischief of ten years_). Oh, sir, do you think some pretty gentleman might be partial to me at the ball?
VALENTINE. If that is your wish----
PHOEBE. I should love, sir, to inspire frenzy in the breast of the male. (_With sudden collapse._) I dare not go--I dare not.
VALENTINE. Miss Livvy, I vow----
(_He turns eagerly to_ MISS SUSAN, _who enters._)
I have ventured, Miss Susan, to introduce myself to your charming niece.
(MISS SUSAN _would like to run away again, but the wicked_ MISS PHOEBE _is determined to have her help._)