_Sym._ I’m very sorry; but, of course, if you have made up your mind to it----
_Ch._ Why, when a man’s lost everything, what has he to live for?
_Sym._ True, true. Nothing whatever. Still----
_Ch._ His money gone, his credit gone, the three girls he’s engaged to gone.
_Sym._ I cannot deny it. It is a hopeless situation. Hopeless, quite hopeless.
_Ch._ His happiness wrecked, his hopes blighted; the three trees upon which the fruit of his heart was growing--all cut down. What is left but suicide?
_Sym._ True, true! You’re quite right. Farewell. (_Going._)
_Ch._ Symperson, you seem to think I _want_ to kill myself. I don’t want to do anything of the kind. I’d much rather live--upon my soul I would--if I could think of any reason for living. Symperson, can’t you think of _something_ to check the heroic impulse which is at this moment urging me to a tremendous act of self-destruction?
_Sym._ Something! Of course I can! Say that you throw yourself into the Serpentine--which is handy. Well, it’s an easy way of going out of the world, I’m told--rather pleasant than otherwise, I believe--quite an agreeable sensation, I’m given to understand. But you--you get wet through; and your--your clothes are absolutely ruined!
_Ch._ (_mournfully_). For that matter, I could take off my clothes before I went in.
_Sym._ True, so you could. I never thought of that. You could take them off before you go in--there’s no reason why you shouldn’t, if you do it in the dark--and _that_ objection falls to the ground. Cheviot, my lion-hearted boy, it’s impossible to resist your arguments, they are absolutely convincing. (_Shakes his hand._) [_Exit._
_Ch._ Good fellow, Symperson--I like a man who’s open to conviction! But it’s no use--all my attractions are gone--and I can _not_ live unless I feel I’m fascinating. Still, there’s one chance left--Belinda! I haven’t tried her. Perhaps, after all, she loved me for myself alone! It isn’t likely--but it’s barely possible.
_Enter BELVAWNEY, who has overheard these words._
_Bel._ Out of the question; you are too late! I represented to her that you are never likely to induce any one to marry you now that you are penniless. She felt that my income was secure, and she gave me her hand and her heart.