o say. It is that your behaviour this morning completely
obliterates--the--

[_He is cut short by another hiccup and, with a bow, withdraws._ POLLITT
_appears at the window._ SOPHY _goes to the entrance, and watches the
departure of_ QUEX _and_ FRAYNE. POLLITT _enters the room. The door-gong
sounds._

POLLITT.

Sophy.

SOPHY.

[_Turning._] Oh! Valma, dear?

POLLITT.

[_With a heavy brow._] Captain Bastling is waiting at my place, for Miss
Eden.

SOPHY.

[_Subdued._] Is he?

POLLITT.

Dearest, during my brief but, I pride myself, honourable association
with palmistry, this is the first time my rooms have been used for this
sort of game.

SOPHY.

This sort of game?

POLLITT.

Other Professors have stooped to it, but I--oh, no, it is playing
palmistry a little bit too low down.

SOPHY.

[_Unhappily._] Surely it's quite harmless, love--a couple of young
people meeting to say good-bye.

POLLITT.

From what you've told me, I greatly doubt that it _will_ be good-bye.

SOPHY.

D--d--do you?

POLLITT.

[_Hotly._] Anyhow I resent _your_ being the go-between of this gallant
captain and a girl betrothed to another man--you who are naturally such
a thorough lady!

SOPHY.

Oh--oh, Valma--!

[_She drops her head upon his shoulder and whimpers._

POLLITT.

Dearest, what have I said?

SOPHY.

Valma, I've made up my mind. I intend to do exactly what you wish, in
the future, in everything. I'm going to give up squatting down here
manicuring gentlemen--

POLLITT.

Sophy!

SOPHY.

And shall simply sail about these rooms, overlooking my girls in the
plainest of silks. And never again will I interfere in an underhand way
in other people's affairs on any account whatever. [_Putting her arms
round his neck._] Yes, you _shall_ find me a lady--a lady--

POLLITT.

[_Tenderly._] Ah--! [_The door-gong sounds. She raises her head and
dries her eyes hurriedly._] Is that Miss Eden?

[_He crosses to the window as she goes to the entrance._ MISS LIMBIRD
_appears._

MISS LIMBIRD.

[_To_ SOPHY.] Here's Miss Eden.

SOPHY.

[_With a nod._] Give me half a minute with her; then I'm at liberty.
[MISS LIMBIRD _disappears._ SOPHY _comes to_ POLLITT.] I'll send Muriel
across directly.

[_He departs._ MISS LIMBIRD _returns and, holding the_ portiere _aside,
admits_ MURIEL. MURIEL _is wearing a veil._ MISS LIMBIRD _withdraws._
SOPHY _meets_ MURIEL; _they kiss each other undemonstratively._

SOPHY