d me on to
this desirable, detestable match; even at night she has stalked into my
room with a lighted candle, startling me out of my beauty sleep, to tell
me she will never rest till I am Lady Macphail.

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

Imogen, it's _too_ kind of mamma to take this interest in you.

IMOGEN.

Interest! It's torture. And at last she threatened that if I married
anybody else she would expire in great pain and appear to me constantly,
a ghost, in her night-gown. Well, you've seen Aunt Dora in her
night-gown--you can guess my feelings.

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

And that decided you.

IMOGEN.

I went to mamma and asked her advice.

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

I guess what that was.

IMOGEN.

Mamma's expression was that she'd give the heels off her best shoes to
see me provided for. And so, late last night, while my maid Phipps was
washing my head, I gasped out a soapy sort of yes.

[The DOWAGER enters.]

DOWAGER.

Where is Imogen?

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

Here, mamma.

DOWAGER.

[Embracing IMOGEN.] My favorite niece! I have just learned your decision
over the breakfast-table. I was eating cold grouse at the moment; I
thought I should have choked.

IMOGEN.

I hope you are satisfied, aunt.

DOWAGER.

Thoroughly. I feel now that I shall die, a great many years hence, a
contented woman. Effie.

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

Yes, mamma?

DOWAGER.

Don't think you're neglected, child. I cannot provide for everybody at
once.

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

No, mamma.

DOWAGER.

But having completely settled Imogen, I shall commence the adjustment of
your future after lunch.

[LADY MACPHAIL enters.]

LADY MACPHAIL.

Ah!

DOWAGER.

Dear Lady Macphail! What glorious news!

LADY MACPHAIL.

[Rapturously, with her hand upraised.] Now let the worn banner of the
Macphail be run up on the crumbling tower of Castle Ballocheevin!

DOWAGER.

Certainly--by all means.

LADY MACPHAIL.

Now let the roar of the pipes startle the eaglets on the summit of black
Ben-Muchty!

DOWAGER.

I hope such arrangements will be made.

LADY MACPHAIL.

Let the shriek of the wild birds resound on the shores of Loch-na-Doich!

DOWAGER.

[Bringing IMOGEN forward.] But you haven't seen Imogen yet.

LADY MACPHAIL.

[Embracing her.] Child! Ah, when Colin learns your answer to his suit
you shall listen to such words as none but a Macphail can utter to his
betrothed.

DOWAGER.

Doesn't he know?

LADY MA