_Sir Rupert._ Fact is, you see, we made a mistake. Very ridiculous, but we've been taking that young fellow, Mr. Spurrell, for _you_ all this time; so we never thought of inquiring whether you'd come or not. It was only just now he told us how he'd met you in the Verney Chamber, and the very handsome way, if you will allow me to say so, in which you had tried to efface yourself. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). I didn't expect him to take _that_ view of it! (_Aloud._) I--I felt I had no alternative. [Lady MAISIE _regards him with admiration_. _Sir Rupert._ You did an uncommon fine thing, sir, and I'm afraid you received treatment on your arrival which you had every right to resent. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). I hoped he didn't know about the housekeeper's room! (_Aloud._) Please say no more about it, Sir Rupert. I know now that you were entirely innocent of any---- _Sir Rupert_ (_horrified_). Good Gad! you didn't suppose _I_ had any hand in fixing up that booby-trap, or whatever it was, did you? Young fellows will get bear-fighting and playing idiotic tricks on one another, and you seem to have been the victim--that's how it was. Have you had anything to eat since you came? If not---- _Undershell_ (_hastily_). Thank you, I--I _have_ dined. (_To himself._) So he _doesn't_ know where, after all! I will spare him _that_. _Sir Rupert._ Got some food at Shuntingbridge, eh? Afraid they gave you a wretched dinner? _Undershell._ Quite the reverse, I assure you. (_To himself._) Considering that it came from his own table! _Pilliner_ (_to himself_). I _still_ don't understand how his clothes---- (_Aloud._) Did you send your portmanteau on ahead, then, or what? _Undershell_ (_blankly_). Send my port--? I don't understand. _Pilliner._ Oh, I only asked, because the other man said he was wearing your things. _Sir Rupert_ (_as_ UNDERSHELL _remains speechless_). I see how it was--perfectly simple--rush for the train--porter put your luggage in--you got left behind, wasn't that it? _Undershell._ I--I certainly _did_ get separated from my portmanteau, somehow, and I suppose it must have arrived before me. (_To himself._) Considering the pace of the fly-horse, I think I am justified in assuming _that_! _Pilliner_ (_to himself_). Ass I was not to hold my tongue! _Lady Maisie_ (_in an undertone, to_ Captain THICKNESSE). Gerald, you remember what I said some time ago--about poetry and poets? _Captain Thicknesse._ Perfectly. And I thought you were quite right. _Lady Maisie._ I was quite _wrong_. I didn't know what I was talking about. I do now. Good night. (_She crosses to_ UNDERSHELL.) Good night, Mr. Blair, I'm so very glad we have met--at last! [_She goes._ _Undershell_ (_to himself, rapturously_). She's _not_ freckled; she's not even sandy. She's lovely! And, by some unhoped-for good fortune, all this has only raised me in her eyes. I am more than compensated!