e entrance to the
vestibule._] Robbie _has_ to run away----

ROOPE.

[_Diplomatically._] Can't stay another moment. [_Waving a hand to_ SIR
TIMOTHY.] _Au revoir_, dear Sir Timothy!

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Laying his hat upon the settee on the right and taking off his
gloves._] So long! [PHILIP _and_ ROOPE _stare at_ SIR TIMOTHY, _whose
back is towards them._ ROOPE _gives_ PHILIP _an inquiring look, which_
PHILIP _answers by a shrug and a shake of the head; and then_ PHILIP
_lets_ ROOPE _out and comes back into the room._ SIR TIMOTHY _turns to
him._] I'm afraid you think I'm presuming on a very slight
acquaintance, Mr. Mackworth----

PHILIP.

[_Shutting the vestibule door._] Not in the least.

SIR TIMOTHY.

Anyhow I'll not waste more of your valuable time than I can help.
[PHILIP _points to the settee and the two men sit, Sir Timothy on the
settee,_ PHILIP _in the chair by the smoking-table._ SIR TIMOTHY
_inspects the toes of his boots._] Mr. Mackworth, I--I won't beat about
the bush--it's a delicate subject I'm approaching you on.

PHILIP.

[_Leaning back in his chair._] Really?

SIR TIMOTHY.

An extremely delicate subject--[_raising his eyes_] Madame de Chaumie.

PHILIP.

Madame de Chaumie?

SIR TIMOTHY.

In the first place, I suppose you're aware that I had the temerity to
propose marriage to the lady in the summer of this year?

PHILIP.

Yes, I'm aware of it. Madame de Chaumie informed me of the circumstance.

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Nodding._] She would; she would. [_Straightening himself._] Well, Mr.
Mackworth, while I was abroad I heard from various sources that you had
become a pretty regular visitor at the house of her parents, and that
you and she were to be seen together occasionally in the secluded spots
of Kensington Gardens; and I naturally inferred that it was yourself
she'd had the good taste to single out from among her numerous suitors.

PHILIP.

[_With a smile._] I'd rather you didn't put it in that way, Sir
Timothy; but I guessed yesterday that the facts of the case had reached
you through some channel or other.

SIR TIMOTHY.

Yeste