et the grass grow, Aunt Dora. I--ah--I have the happiness to
be engaged--what!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Engaged!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Bless my soul!

DOWAGER.

In mercy's name, to whom?

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

To Effie.

LADY TWOMBLEY and SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Euphemia!

DOWAGER.

Euphemia! Why, how dare you conspire to entrap a child of mine into a
moneyless marriage?

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

My dear Dora, you yourself suggested----

DOWAGER.

If I may be guilty of such an expression--fall-lall!

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

But, aunt----

DOWAGER.

Hold your tongue, sir! Ah, I believe you all have abominable motives!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

[To herself.] The telegram! The telegram! Why is there no telegram?

[The music of the Strathspey is heard. IMOGEN enters with LADY
EUPHEMIA.]

DOWAGER.

Euphemia!

[LADY EUPHEMIA joins the others. IMOGEN goes to LADY TWOMBLEY in
agitation.]

IMOGEN.

Mamma! The Strathspey!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

What of it?

IMOGEN.

I'm engaged to dance it with Sir Colin. Oh, mamma, I don't love him!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Child, you loved him the other night while your head was being washed.

IMOGEN.

I didn't see clearly then--the egg-julep was in my eyes. But now Lady
Macphail is running after me, from one room to another, because she
declares I must fulfil the destiny of a Macphail's betrothed and lead
the Strathspey by his side. But I won't dance a deception before a room
full of people!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Imogen, there is nothing for you but this marriage or contemptible,
cleanly poverty.

IMOGEN.

Poverty!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Child, you are young to be told these things--but what do you think is
likely to happen to pa and me?

IMOGEN.

Mamma, keep nothing from me.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

In all probability we shall grow our own vegetables.

IMOGEN.

Oh! What for?

LADY TWOMBLEY.

_For_ dinner. And, oh, Imogen, have pity on your mother! I can face
contemptible, cleanly poverty with pa alone, but if I see my innocent
chicks sharing our miseries every cabbage in our garden will grow up
with a broken heart!

[She embraces IMOGEN. LADY MACPHAIL enters with MACPHAIL.]

LADY MACPHAIL.

Miss Twombley, Lord Drumdurris's guests are politely waiting till you
are pleased to lead the Strathspey with the Macphail.

MACPHAIL.

Miss Twombley.

IMOGEN.

[Quietly to LADY TWOMBLEY.] Mamma!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

[To herself.] No telegram from town. [To IMOGEN.] Imogen, you h