, too.

ETHEL [very seriously]. Almeric, I think it's noble to be brave in
trouble, but--

ALMERIC [puzzled]. I say, you know, you've really _got_ me!

ETHEL. I mean that I admire you for your pluck, for seeming unconcerned
under disgrace, but--

ALMERIC. _Disgrace_? Why, who's disgraced--not even the Governor, as I
see it. You got that chap called off, didn't you?

ETHEL. Whom do you mean?

ALMERIC. Why, that convict chap--didn't you send him away? You bought
him off, didn't you, so that he won't talk? Gave him money not to bother
us?

ETHEL [rising, and turning on him indignantly]. Why, Heaven pity you! Do
you think that?

ALMERIC. Oh--what?--he wouldn't agree to be still? Oh, I say, that'll
be rather a pill for the Governor--he'll be a bit worried, you know.

ETHEL. Don't you see that it's time for you to worry a little for
yourself? That you've got to begin at once to do something worthy that
will obliterate this shame--to begin a career--to work--to work!

ALMERIC [puzzled]. But? But I mean to say, though--but what _for_? What
possible need will there be for an extreme like that? Don't you see, in
the first place, there's the settlement--

ETHEL [aghast]. Settlement! You talk of settlement, _now_.

LADY CREECH [angrily]. Settlement, _certainly_ there's the settlement!

ETHEL. What for?

LADY CREECH. Why, don't you understand--you're to be the Countess of
Hawcastle, aren't you?

ALMERIC. Why--hasn't he told you?--the only obstacle on earth between us
was this fellow's consent to the settlement, and he's just given it.

ETHEL [dazed and angry]. Do you mean to say he's consented to that!

ALMERIC. Why, to be sure--he's just consented with his own lips--didn't
you?

PIKE [gravely]. I did.

LADY CREECH. Don't you see, don't you hear that--he's consented? He
didn't mumble his words--don't you hear him?

ETHEL. I do, and disbelieve my own ears. Yesterday, when I wanted
something I thought of value--and that was a name--he refused to let me
buy it--to-day, when I know that that name is less than nothing, worse
than nothing--he bids me give my fortune for it. What manner of man is
this! And _you_ [to LADY CREECH and ALMERIC], what are you that after
last night you come to me and ask a settlement?

LADY CREECH [angrily]. Certainly we do--would you expect to enter a
family like this and bring nothing?

ALMERIC. _I_ can't see that the situation has changed since yesterday. I
don't stick out for the