OTTOLINE.

Yes?

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Bracing himself._] A little bird brought the news to me shortly after I left England. [_She lowers her eyes._] I--I congratulate you and Mackworth--I congratulate you from the core of my heart.

OTTOLINE.

[_In a quiet voice._] Thank you, dear Sir Timothy.

SIR TIMOTHY.

May you both be as happy as you deserve to be, and even happier!

PHILIP.

[_Laughing._] Ha, ha, ha!

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Squeezing her hand._] Good-bye for the present.

OTTOLINE.

[_Smilingly._] Good-bye. [_He pa.s.ses her and joins_ PHILIP. _Unseen by_ OTTOLINE_--who proceeds to loosen her coat at the settee on the right--_ PHILIP _again gives_ SIR TIMOTHY _a vigorous hand-shake._ SIR TIMOTHY _responds to it disconsolately, and is following_ PHILIP _into the vestibule when he hears_ OTTOLINE _call to him._] Sir Tim!

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Turning._] Hallo!

OTTOLINE.

[_Lightly._] Is your car here?

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Brightening._] It is.

OTTOLINE.

You may give me a lift to Bond Street, if your business with your lawyers won't keep you long.

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Emphatically._] It will _not_. [_Beaming._] I told you a lie. I've _no_ business with my lawyers. I came here expressly to improve my acquaintance with the man who's to be your husband, and for no other purpose.

[_They all laugh merrily._

OTTOLINE.

Ha, ha, ha! [_To_ SIR TIMOTHY.] Wait for me in South Square, then. I sha'n't be many minutes.

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Going into the vestibule._] Ah, I'd wait an eternity!

[PHILIP _and_ SIR TIMOTHY _shake hands once more, and then_ PHILIP _lets_ SIR TIMOTHY _out._

PHILIP.

[_As he shuts the outer door._] By George, he's a splendid chap! [_He comes back into the room, closes the vestibule door, and advances to_ OTTOLINE _and stands before her humbly._] Oh, Ottoline--oh, my dear girl! Shall I go down on my knees to you?

OTTOLINE.

[_In a subdued tone._] If you do, I shall have to kneel to _you_, Phil.

PHILIP.

[_Slowly folding her in his arms._] Ah! Ah! Ah! [_In her ear._] What a night I've spent!

OTTOLINE.

[_Almost inaudibly._] And I!

[_He seats her upon the settee on the right and sits beside her, linking his hand in hers._

PHILIP.

How merciful this is of you! I've just sent you a letter by Robbie Roope, begging you to see me; you've missed him. [_Smiling._] It isn't as eloquent as some I started writing at five o'clock this morning.

Would you like to hear it? [_She nods. He recites his note tenderly._]

"Forgive me. I forgive you. When may I come to you?" That's all.

OTTOLINE.

_Isn't_ that eloquent, Phil?

PHILIP.

[_Smiling again._] It's concise--and as long as you forgive me--[_eyeing her with a shadow of fear_] you're _sure_ you've forgiven me?

OTTOLINE.

Sure.

PHILIP.

[_Persistently._] Without reserve?