SCENE I.—_A room at MISS DANE’S boarding-house. MR. FARWELL,

R., half reclining on the sofa. MR. GROVER, C., sitting in a chair, with his feet on the table. Both smoking._

MR. FARWELL. Why don’t you get married, Grover? I suppose you intend, at some time, to take to yourself a wife.

MR. GROVER. I might if I could find a woman to suit me. But I don’t want any of the vain and frivolous creatures we constantly meet in society.

MR. F. They are not all of this description. Now, there’s Gertrude Hobbs. She is a pretty girl.

MR. G. And when you’ve said that, you’ve said all there is to say.

MR. F. I’m sure she is pleasant and agreeable.

MR. G. And weak-minded.

MR. F. Ah! I see, you would like a girl of spirit. Then, why not take Kate Ross? The only objection to her is, that she has an imperious temper. I should not care to cross her if I were her husband.

MR. G. (_contemptuously_). Pooh! that is your spirit, is it? For my part, there would be no pleasure in subduing a tame, spiritless creature; but, if somewhat mettlesome, there would be some excitement in it. I am half tempted to offer my hand to Kate Ross, to show you what a simple affair it would be to tame a spirited woman.

MR. F. I hope you _will_ do so, as I shall not change my opinion till it is practically refuted. And I will wager a hundred dollars that you will talk in quite a different way after marrying her.

MR. G. You will probably lose your money. When I undertake anything, I usually bring it to a successful termination.

MR. F. (_smiling_). I am willing to take the risk. Theory is very well in its way, but it is practice that tells the story. I confess I have some curiosity to see how the matter ends.

MR. G. Well, you will probably have that satisfaction within six months, as Kate Ross will, without doubt, be Mrs. Grover before that time.

MR. F. You seem quite confident. Have you proposed to Miss Ross?

MR. G. No; but she would not think of refusing my offer. An opportunity of gaining such a position is seldom presented to a poor girl.

MR. F. Very well. If you do not talk in quite a different way after marrying Kate Ross, the money is yours.

(_Curtain falls._)