when you speak
of having been our pupil you are also so obliging as to mention that it
was during our first year. Otherwise it makes us seem so elderly.

(_He bows again, in what he believes to be a quizzical manner._)

CHARLOTTE. Ensign Blades would be pleased to hear, Miss Susan, what
you think of him as a whole.

MISS SUSAN. Indeed, sir, I think you are monstrous fine.
(_Innocently._) It quite awes me to remember that we used to whip him.

VALENTINE (_delighted_). Whipped him, Miss Susan! (_In solemn
burlesque of_ CHARLOTTE.) Ensign Blades wishes to indicate that it was
more than Buonaparte could do. We shall meet again, bright boy.

(_He makes his adieux and goes._)

BLADES. Do you think he was quizzing me?

MISS SUSAN (_simply_). I cannot think so.

BLADES. He said 'bright boy,' ma'am.

MISS SUSAN. I am sure, sir, he did not mean it.

(PHOEBE _returns._)

PHOEBE. Charlotte, I am happy to see you. You look delicious, my
dear--so young and fresh.

CHARLOTTE. La! Do you think so, Miss Phoebe?

BLADES. Miss Phoebe, your obedient.

PHOEBE. It is Ensign Blades! But how kind of you, sir, to revisit the
old school. Please to sit down.

CHARLOTTE. Ensign Blades has a favour to ask of you, Miss Phoebe.

BLADES. I learn, ma'am, that Captain Brown has obtained a card for you
for the ball, and I am here to solicit for the honour of standing up
with you.

(_For the moment_ PHOEBE _is flattered. Here, she believes, is some
one who does not think her too old for the dance. Then she perceives a
meaning smile pass between_ CHARLOTTE _and the_ ENSIGN.)

PHOEBE (_paling_). Is it that you desire to make sport of me?

BLADES (_honestly distressed_). Oh no, ma'am, I vow--but I--I am such
a quiz, ma'am.

MISS SUSAN. Sister!

PHOEBE. I am sorry, sir, to have to deprive you of some entertainment,
but I am not going to the ball.

MISS SUSAN (_haughtily_). Ensign Blades, I bid you my adieux.

BLADES (_ashamed_). If I have hurt Miss Phoebe's feelings I beg to
apologise.

MISS SUSAN. _If_ you have hurt them. Oh, sir, how is it possible for
any one to be as silly as you seem to be.

BLADES (_who cannot find the answer_). Charlotte--explain.

(_But_ CHARLOTTE _considers that their visit has not been sufficiently
esteemed and departs with a cold curtsy, taking him with her._)

(MISS SUSAN _turns sympathetically to_ PHOEBE, _but_ PHOEBE, _fighting
with her pain, sits down at the sp