s till to-morrow----

BERTRAM.

Exactly! [_Throwing himself into the chair between the big doors and
the vestibule door._] I predicted a scene! I predicted a scene!

PHILIP.

[_To_ SIR RANDLE _and_ LADY FILSON, _penitently._] Perhaps it would
have been wiser of me--more considerate--to have complied with his
wishes. But I was in a fury--naturally----

LADY FILSON.

[_Sitting on the settee on the left._] Naturally.

SIR RANDLE.

And excusably. I myself, in similar circumstances----

PHILIP.

[_Rubbing his head._] Why the deuce couldn't he have kept his twopenny
thunderbolt in his pocket for a few hours, instead of launching it
to-night and spoiling our _sole a la Morny_ and our _ris de veau_----!

OTTOLINE.

[_Gradually composing herself and regaining her dignity_].
P-P-Philip----

PHILIP.

[_Coming to the smoking-table._] Eh?

OTTOLINE.

[_Passing her handkerchief over her lips._] Need you--need you see this
man to-night? Can't you stop him coming--or send him away?

PHILIP.

Not see him----?

OTTOLINE.

Why--why should you stoop to see him at all? Why shouldn't the matter
be allowed to drop--to drop?

PHILIP.

Drop!

OTTOLINE.

It--it's too monstrous; too absurd. [_To_ BERTRAM, _with a laugh._] Ha,
ha, ha! Bertie--Bertie dear----

BERTRAM.

[_Sullenly._] Yes?

OTTOLINE.

Ha, ha! I almost scared you out of your wits, didn't I?

BERTRAM.

You've behaved excessively rudely----

LADY FILSON.

Bertram--Bertram----

BERTRAM.

I mean to _say_, mother! What becomes of family loyalty----?

OTTOLINE.

[_To_ BERTRAM, _coaxingly._] Forgive me, Bertram. I'm ashamed of my
violent outburst. Forgive me----

ROOPE.

[_Who has been effacing himself behind the table on the left, appearing
at the nearer end of the table._] Er--dear excellent friends--[SIR
RANDLE _and_ LADY FILSON _look at_ ROOPE _as if he had fallen from the
ski