If Only etc. Part 33

I have never forgotten him. I have always treasured his memory in my soul.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_soothingly_).

That was very nice of you. You are a very nice girl--I saw it at once.

ROSALINE.

_He_ used to say that--he used to call me his "Toppett."

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

His little "Toppett?" It is a pretty name, and I am sure he will be delighted to find you here, when he comes. It will be a surprise for him, won't it; quite a surprise! (_Aside_.) A perfect devil of a surprise!

ROSALINE.

For all he knows I might be dead--dead with the violets blooming over my tomb.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Yes, yes,--b.u.t.tercups and daisies. (_Aside_.) I shall get the giddy push from here when he does come; I see it sticking out a foot.

(_Aloud_.) I say, Poppett--I mean "Rosaline," do you feel equal to going on with the sitting till he arrives?

ROSALINE (_pa.s.sively_).

As you please--I must live.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside._)

It is doubtful whether Sylvester will see it in the same light.

(_Aloud_.) Well, then, suppose you take up your position again.

(_He poses her with much difficulty, as each time he places her arms in the required att.i.tude, she moves to wipe away a tear_).

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

There, now we've got it at last. (_He goes back to the easel, and commences to work_).

ROSALINE.

(_Bursting into sobs, and collapsing altogether_.) Boo--hoo--hoo!

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_despairingly_).

Oh, great Jupiter! This is too much! Can't you contain your emotion? I know it is very praiseworthy, but can't you bottle it up? How on earth am I to paint you while you keep going on like this.

(_The street-door bell rings_).

ROSALINE (_joyously_).

He! (_She clasps her hands and listens_.) My heart tells me so!

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_disagreeably_).

It _ain't_ he--because he never rings. So your heart's told you a lie.

MRS. SYLVESTER (_off_).

Mr. Sylvester--is he in? Not in? What do you mean?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Snakes!--it's his Missus.

ROSALINE (_pa.s.sionately_).

_Another_ wife?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

No, it is the same one--do you think he is the Grand Mogul?--but she will be enough for _you_ if she finds you here, and for _me_ too!

ROSALINE.

I do not fear her. I am doing no harm--I am your Model, brought here by you.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_in terror_).

Now look here, you know, don't say that; I won't be mixed up in it! I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the matter! I didn't know who you were, or I wouldn't have brought you within a hundred miles of the place. Hark.

MRS. SYLVESTER (_off_).

I will wait in his studio till he comes. He ought to have been here long ago.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_in terror_).

_Ought_ he! I won't be seen here--I can't. She is a friend of my wife's. I won't be found in your company. I'm a moral man, and she knows you.

ROSALINE (_indignantly_).

What?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Here, hi, I will be a lay-figure. By George, I've got it--I will be the Mandarin, see!

(_He disguises himself with Rosaline's a.s.sistance as a Mandarin, and sits cross-legged at back, wagging his head_.)

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.