d Mrs. Gaylustre.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Katherine!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

You will assist her into the carriage, you will help her to alight; when
she arrives you will be charmed to see her, when she leaves you will be
a mass of regret. You hear me!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

This is a most extraordinary friendship!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

It _is_ an exceptional friendship. Pa, say you're delighted this great
friend of mine is to be one of us to-day.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Well, to please you, my dear, of course, I----

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Yes?

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

I am delighted.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Ah!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

[To himself.] I see--I see the change in my wife that Dora spoke of.

[PROBYN enters with cards on a salver. At the same moment the DOWAGER
enters and looks out of the window.]

DOWAGER.

[To herself.] They are punctual!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

[Looking at the cards.] Lady Macphail and Sir Colin. Not at home. If
ever a woman was out I am.

DOWAGER.

[To PROBYN.] Stop! [To LADY TWOMBLEY.] Kate, what are you doing? This
visit is planned by me!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Why?

DOWAGER.

I have a motive.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Oh, Dora!

DOWAGER.

[To PROBYN.] Lady Twombley will see Sir Colin and Lady Macphail here.
[PROBYN goes out.]

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Ah! then, if you'll allow me----

DOWAGER.

No, Julian. This is another family matter.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Another!

DOWAGER.

These people have called to formally propose for the hand of Imogen.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

To propose!

DOWAGER.

Last night, at the ball of the Perth Highlanders, I danced the
Strathspey and Reel with Sir Colin. In the excitement I wrung from him
an admission of his affection.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Pa, what shall we do?

DOWAGER.

Do? The head of the Clan Macphail! Eighty thousand acres! Julian?

LADY TWOMBLEY.

[To herself.] If it would provide for Imogen before the smash!

DOWAGER.

If Imogen is a high-minded girl she will be mad with delight.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Will she? [To herself.] Ah! and will she learn to look down on pa and me
when we're aged paupers?

[PROBYN enters.]

PROBYN.

Sir Colin Macphail--Lady Macphail.

[LADY MACPHAIL enters, dressed simply and quaintly in an old-fashioned
silk gown, followed closely by MACPHAIL, whose clothes are capacious and
clumsy, and who seems very ill at ease. PROBYN withdraws.]

DOWAGER.

Dear Lady Macphail--Sir Colin!

LADY TWOMBLEY