as you appear to believe; in fact I can assure you I am not.

SOPHY.

[_Gathering her robe about her and advancing a few steps._] You must
excuse me, my lord, but--[_glancing round the room_] you evidently
forget where you are.

QUEX.

No, I don't; but I tell you--I tell you sincerely--that my visit to her
Grace to-night was an innocent one.

SOPHY.

[_Turning her head away, in great disdain._] Really!

QUEX.

Really. You won't accept money?

SOPHY.

No, indeed, I will not.

QUEX.

Very well. Ha! it's an odd attitude for a man like myself to adopt
towards--[_indicating_ SOPHY _by a motion of the hand._] But I make an
appeal to you.

SOPHY.

[_Elevating her eyebrows._] Appeal?

QUEX.

[_With simple feeling and dignity._] I love Miss Eden. I would be a good
husband to that young lady. Let me off.

SOPHY.

Let you off?

QUEX.

Don't tell on me. Don't try to rob me of Miss Eden. Let me off.

SOPHY.

I'm sorry to say I can't, my lord.

QUEX

You won't?

SOPHY.

I won't. [_With a slight inclination of the head_ QUEX _turns away and
stands leaning against the settee with his back towards_ SOPHY. _The
clock strikes the quarter-of-an-hour. There is a short silence._] If
your lordship has quite done with me--? [_He makes no response. She
tosses her head._] I wish you good-night, my lord. [_She goes to the
passage-door and turns the handle._] It's locked. This door's locked.
[_Looking at him._] The door's locked. [_Rattling at the door-handle._]
Where's the key? [_Searching about on the floor near the door._] Where's
the--? [_Coming forward a step or two._] Has your lordship got the key
of this door? [_Still obtaining no answer, she stands staring at him for
a moment; then she goes quickly to the other door and tries the handle.
As she does so,_ QUEX _turns sharply and, leaning upon the back of the
settee, watches her. After shaking the door-handle vigorously, she
wheels round and faces him, indignantly._] What's the meaning of this?

QUEX.

[_Grimly._] Ah!

SOPHY.

Oh--! [_She sweeps round to avoid him, and then runs into the bedroom.
When she has gone he seats himself in the chair by the writing-table in
a lazy attitude, his legs stretched out, his hands in his pockets. After
a moment or two she returns breathlessly._] I'm locked in!

QUEX.

Yes.

SOPHY.

You have locked me in!

QUEX.

Yes.

SOPHY.

How dare you!

QUEX.

Why, you didn't think you were going to hav