[_They have both risen, and move up the room together._
ALINE. I shall be a nine days' wonder. And how do you propose to carry
out your little scheme?
CROCKSTEAD. I will take Saturday's boat--you will give me a line to your
cousin. I had better state the case plainly to him, perhaps?
ALINE. That demands consideration.
CROCKSTEAD. And I will tell you what you shall do for me in return. Find
me a wife!
ALINE. I?
CROCKSTEAD. You. I beg it on my knees. I give you carte blanche. I
undertake to propose, with my eyes shut, to the woman you shall select.
ALINE. And will you treat her to the--little preliminaries--with which you
have favoured me?
CROCKSTEAD. No. I said those things to you because I liked you.
ALINE. And you don't intend to like the other one?
CROCKSTEAD. I will marry her, I can trust you to find me a loyal and
intelligent woman.
ALINE. In Society?
CROCKSTEAD. For preference. She will be better versed in spending money
than a governess, or country parson's daughter.
ALINE. But why this voracity for marriage?
CROCKSTEAD. Lady Aline, I am hunted, pestered, worried, persecuted. I have
settled two breach of promise actions already, though Heaven knows I did
no more than remark it was a fine day, or enquire after the lady's health.
If you do not help me, some energetic woman will capture me--I feel
it--and bully me for the rest of my days. I raise a despairing cry to
you--Find me a wife!
ALINE. Do you desire the lady to have any--special qualifications?
CROCKSTEAD.
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