Never!

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Bill Number One falls due next month when you are at Drumdurris Castle!

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

No, no! Fan, do _not_ mix up business with friendship. You know my rule.

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Get us to Drumdurris and we renew!

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

Oh, Fanny, how plainly you put it! Don't!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Never!

[MR. MELTON enters.]

MR. MELTON.

The carriages are here, Lady Twombley.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I--I'll come.

[DRUMDURRIS enters talking to VALENTINE. IMOGEN, LADY EUPHEMIA, and
BROOKE follow; then EGIDIA and ANGELE with the infant.]

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

[To LADY TWOMBLEY.] Introduce me!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Never!

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

[To LADY TWOMBLEY.] Introduce him!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I will not!

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

Lady Twombley!

[He produces his pocketbook, opens it, and gives her a glimpse of the
Bills.]

LADY TWOMBLEY.

The Bills! Oh!

[She makes a futile snatch at the pocketbook.]

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

Lady Twombley, introduce me!

[SIR JULIAN enters, intent upon his speech, the MS. of which he carries
in his hand.]

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

[To himself.] "I can conceive no position more agreeable to a Minister
of the Crown----" [Seeing LEBANON.] Eh?

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

[Whispering to LADY TWOMBLEY.] Now!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Julian, Lord Drumdurris, Brooke, let me introduce to you--Mr. Lebanon.

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

[Triumphantly to herself.] Ah!

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

[Triumphantly to himself.] Ah! [LEBANON grasps SIR JULIAN's hand
warmly.] De-lighted to find myself in your elegant 'ouse. Most
_recherche_. [Shaking hands with all the others.] You all know my sister
Fan. Elegant 'ouse this. Most _recherche_.

[MRS. GAYLUSTRE runs to SIR JULIAN and taking a flower from her dress
fastens it in his coat.]

DOWAGER.

[Outside.] Katherine!

[The DOWAGER enters with her arm through MACPHAIL's, LADY MACPHAIL
following.]

DOWAGER.

I've found the truant. He had a motive.

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

[Quietly to MRS. GAYLUSTRE.] Who's the Judy?

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

[To LEBANON.] Old Lady Drum.

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

Ah! [Turning to the DOWAGER and seizing her hand.] De-lighted! 'Ope to
have the pleashah of meetin' you up North.

DOWAGER.

Katherine!

[There is a general expression of astonishment, and LADY TWOMBLEY sinks
upon the settee.]

END OF THE SECOND ACT.

THE THIRD ACT.

DISASTER.

The scene is the inner hall