14
GRIMSHAW, BAGSHAW, AND BRADSHAW.
| Grim.
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Not a moment—so open the door—make haste — here's somebody coming!
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Fanny opens r h. d., and Grimshaw runs in.
| Fan.
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(looking out through door) I don't hear any one.
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| Grim.
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Well, to confess the truth. I should rather be surprised if you did! the fact is, it was only an ingenious device of mine to induce you to open the door.
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| Fan.
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For shame, Sir. to have recourse to an unworthy artifice to gain admission into my apartment!
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| Grim.
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Your apartment?—come, I like that! (suddenly) Holloa! you've been smoking.
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| Fan.
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Pshaw! leave me, I beg—I implore! consider my reputation!
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| Grim.
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What's your reputation compared to mine?—if you had only seen the look my old landlady gave me just now as I came in—she's not what you'd call a particularly handsome woman at any time, but at that moment she was repulsive in the highest degree; and then, the fiendish grin she put on when she said—"I thought I heard a female voice in your room, Sir;"—and then she gave me this letter. (showing letter.)
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| Grim.
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There's no address; but the landlady said it was to be delivered immediately to the gentleman on the second floor; and as I have every reason to believe that I am the only gentleman on the second floor——
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| Fan.
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Exactly. Then why don't you read it? (Grimshaw opens letter) What's the signature?
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| Grim.
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(reading) "Soosan Towzer."
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| Fan.
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(aside) Emily's aunt!—the letter was intended for Mr. Bradshaw, and she did'nt know that he had left the house. (aloud) Well, go on.
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| Grim.
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Why should I? I know nothing about Soosan Towzer—I never even heard of Soosan Towzer!
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| Fan.
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(impatiently) I insist upon knowing what's in that letter, Sir!
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| Grim.
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(aside) She's jealous, I declare! (reading) "Sir, I am sorry to say that my husband's nose"—no, no—"I am sorry to say that my husband knows everything"—n-o-s-e, for knows—then all I can say is, that Soosan's husband is a devilish clever fellow!
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