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34 Why, my St. Joseph, of course. [Pats 0. R. on the arm.]

Don't be absurd, Agnes. Do explain yourself. First I hear you give a scream as if to rend heaven and earth, and then, after some time, you appear with Mr. Reynolds.

[leaving her escort's side and going over to her hostess]. You dear, cross thing, Owen and I were engaged four years ago, and then [hesitatingly] we quarreled. Now he has come back and—we've made it up.

Yes, this must be something of a surprise to you, Mrs. Benedict, as it was a very great one to me. [He turns to as if to cover his evident confusion.] I say, old fellow, have you got a dry collar to lend me? I frightened poor Agnes so she—er—half fainted and—er— to my surprise she spouted like a whale, you know, and I got my collar rather wet. What the dickens was she doing with her mouth full of water?

Why, looking for you, of course. I knew that charm would work. You remember "I told you so," Benedict.

[Curtain.]