[_Helplessly, as he rises._] My dearest Lydia----! LYDIA. [_Jumping up and confronting_ MARTIN _with the piteous dignity of her little clasped hands_.] You said just now that--that [_With a gesture toward the portrait._] lady was alive--and going to be married, and that she--that they--plan to live here, in Bird’s Nest? MARTIN. [_Very low._] Yes, Madam! LYDIA. [_Drawing herself up._] But doesn’t she know that Richard and I are to live in Bird’s Nest? MARTIN. [_Very gently._] Are you sure, Madam? LYDIA. [_She looks long into his troubled, wistful eyes; then pitifully._] We were to live here! [_Impetuously._] Oh, don’t you know? We were to live here--and then--then Ajax was frightened by the steam-car, coming home from church this afternoon, and ever since---- MARTIN. [_Softly, as_ LYDIA _stops, unable to proceed_.] The folks about here always say Bird’s Nest was built for lovers! LYDIA. [_In a low voice._] The folks? Since when have they said that? I never heard it! MARTIN. [_With a long look._] No, Madam,--it was not--in your day! [_Then, softly to himself, looking from_ LYDIA _to_ RICHARD.] Built for lovers----! LYDIA. [_As before._] And are they--lovers? MARTIN. Mrs. McCormorant is very rich. RICHARD. [_Shocked._] You keep saying, “Mrs.”! She has been married before? MARTIN. Just so! An attractive woman some think, sir, in spite of her deafness. RICHARD. But why should she be deaf? LYDIA. [_With sudden petulance._] What does it matter whether she’s deaf or not when---- MARTIN. [_Imperturbably to_ RICHARD.] It’s merely her age, sir----! Sixty-three she is, but---- RICHARD. Good God! It’s impossible! It’s unnatural! MARTIN. [_Watching_ LYDIA _narrowly_.] She took a great fancy to Bird’s Nest the day Mr. Sanford brought her over! It makes them both feel quite young again, so they say! LYDIA. [_Under her breath._] Young! Sixty-three----! I’m not eighteen----! MARTIN. [_Watching her as before._] Haven’t old people a right to happiness, Madam? LYDIA. [_Irrelevantly, a passionate ring in her voice._] The folks about here say Bird’s Nest was built for lovers! MARTIN.