(BETTY _moves to back of_ C. _table and takes up the basket. Crosses above settee and exits through door_ R. BELINDA _is moving towards the swing doors when she catches sight of_ BAXTER _entering from the garden up_ R. _She moves quickly to the_ L. _of_ C. _table, takes up a book and going to Chesterfield_ L., _lies down with her head to_ R. BAXTER _looks in through the window up_ R., _then crosses round and enters through the portico and the swing doors_. BELINDA _pretends to be very busy reading_.) BAXTER (_rather nervously, in front of wring doors_). Er--may I come in, Mrs. Tremayne? BELINDA (_dropping her book and turning round with a violent start_). Oh, Mr. Baxter, how you surprised me! (_She puts her hand to her heart and sits up and faces him_.) BAXTER. I must apologize for intruding upon you at this hour, Mrs. Tremayne. BELINDA (_holding up her hand_). Stop! BAXTER (_startled_). What? BELINDA. I cannot let you come in like that. BAXTER (_looking down at himself_). Like what? BELINDA (_dropping her eyes_). You called me Belinda once. BAXTER (_coming down to her_). May I explain my position, Mrs. Tremayne? BELINDA. Before you begin--have you been seeing my niece lately? BAXTER (_surprised_). No. BELINDA. Oh! (_Sweetly_.) Please go on. BAXTER. Why, is _she_ lost too? BELINDA. Oh no; I just---- Do sit down. (BAXTER _moves to the chair_ L. _of_ C. _table and sits_. BELINDA _rises when he has sat down_.) Let me put your hat down somewhere for you. BAXTER (_keeping it firmly in his hand_). It will be all right here, thank you. BELINDA (_returning to the Chesterfield and sitting_). I'm dying to hear what you are going to say. BAXTER. First as regards the use of your Christian name. I felt that, as a man of honour, I could not permit myself to use it until I had established my right over that of Mr. Devenish. BELINDA. All my friends call me Belinda. BAXTER. As between myself and Mr. Devenish the case is somewhat different. Until one of us is successful over the other in the quest upon which you have sent us, I feel that as far as possible we should hold aloof from you. BELINDA (_pleadingly_). Just say "Belinda" once more, in case you're a long time. BAXTER (_very formally_). Belinda. BELINDA. How nicely you say it--Harold. BAXTER (_getting out of his seat_). Mrs. Tremayne, I must not listen to this. BELINDA (_meekly_). I won't offend again, Mr. Baxter. Please go on. (_She motions him to sit--he does so_.) Tell me about the quest; are you winning?