A trifling loan in cash.

FALK.
A loan!

STIVER [hurriedly to GULDSTAD].
That is, I mean to say, you know,
A voucher for a ten pound note, or so.

MISS JAY [to LIND and ANNA].
I wish you joy! How lovely, how delicious!

GULDSTAD [going up to the ladies].
Pray what has happened?
[To himself.] This was unpropitious.

FALK [throws his arms about STIVER's neck].
Hurrah! the trumpet's dulcet notes proclaim
A brother born to you in Amor's name!
[Drags him to the others.

MISS JAY [to the gentlemen].
Think! Lind and Anna--think!--have plighted hearts,
Affianced lovers!

MRS. HALM [with tears of emotion].
'Tis the eighth in order
Who well-provided from this house departs;
[To FALK.
Seven nieces wedded-always with a boarder--
[Is overcome; presses her handkerchief to her eyes.

MISS JAY [to ANNA].
Well, there will come a flood of gratulation!
[Caresses her with emotion.

LIND [seizing FALK's hand].
My friend, I walk in rapt intoxication!

FALK.
Hold! As a plighted man you are a member
Of Rapture's Temperance-association.
Observe it's rules;--no orgies here, remember!
[Turning to GULDSTAD sympathetically.
Well, my good sir!

GULDSTAD [beaming with pleasure].
I think this promises
All happiness for both.

FALK [staring at him].
You seem to stand
The shock with exemplary self-command.
That's well.

GULDSTAD.
What do you mean, sir?

FALK.
Only this;
That inasmuch as you appeared to feed
Fond expectations of your own--

GULDSTAD.
Indeed?

FALK.
At any rate, you were upon the scent.
You named Miss Halm; you stood upon this spot
And asked me--

GULDSTAD [smiling].
There are two, though, are there not?

FALK.
It was--the other sister that you meant?

GULDSTAD.
That sister, yes, the other one,--just so.
Judge for yourself, when you have come to know
That sister better, if she has not in her
Merits which, if they were divined, would win her
A little more regard than we bestow.

FALK [coldly].
Her virtues are of every known variety
I'm sure.

GULDSTAD.
Not quite; the accent of society
She cannot hit exactly; there she loses.

FALK.
A grievous fault.

GULDSTAD.
But if her mother cho