~Isobel~ (_looking at her watch_). Well, you must be quick. Because I'm engaged. (_George drops her hand and staggers away from her._) ~Isobel.~ Why, what's the matter? ~George~ (_to the audience, in a voice expressing the very deeps of emotion_). Engaged! She is engaged! I am too late! (_He sinks into a chair, and covers his face with his hands._) ~Isobel~ (_surprised_). Mr. Turnbull! What has happened? ~George~ (_waving her away with one hand_). Go! Leave me! I can bear this best alone. (_Exit Isobel._) Merciful heavens, she is plighted to another. _Enter_ Henry. ~Henry~ (_eagerly_). Well, old man? ~George~ (_raising a face white with misery--that is to say, if he has remembered to put the French chalk in the palms of his hands_). Henry, I am too late! She is another's! ~Henry~ (_in surprise_). Whose? ~George~ (_with dignity_). I did not ask her. It is nothing to me. Good-bye, Henry. Be kind to her. ~Henry.~ Why, where are you going? ~George~ (_firmly_). To the Rocky Mountains. I shall shoot some bears. Grizzly ones. It may be that thus I shall forget my grief. ~Henry~ (_after a pause_). Perhaps you are right, George. What shall I tell--her? ~George.~ Tell her--nothing. But should anything (_feeling casually in his pockets_) happen to me--if (_going over them again quickly_) I do not come back, then (_searching them all, including the waist coat ones, in desperate haste_) give her, give her, give her (_triumphantly bringing his handkerchief out of the last pocket_) this, and say that my last thought was of her. Good-bye, my old friend. Good-bye. (_Exit to Rocky Mountains._) _Enter_ Isobel. ~Isobel.~ Why, where's Mr. Turnbull? ~Henry~ (_sadly_). He's gone. ~Isobel.~ Gone? Where? ~Henry.~ To the Rocky Mountains. To shoot bears. (_Feeling that some further explanation is needed._) Grizzly ones. ~Isobel.~ But he was _here_ a moment ago. ~Henry.~ Yes, he's only _just_ gone. ~Isobel.~ Why didn't he say good-bye? (_Eagerly._) But perhaps he left a message for me? (_Henry shakes his head._) Nothing? (_Henry bows silently and leaves the room._) Oh! (_She gives a cry and throws herself on the sofa._) And I loved him! George, George, why didn't you speak? _Enter_ George _hurriedly. He is fully dressed for a shooting expedition in the Rocky Mountains, and carries a rifle under his arm._ * * * * *