DOLPHIN. I suppose it can. For, when all is said, there are damned few of us who really take things much to heart. Julie de Lespinasses are happily not common. I am even subnormal. At twenty I believed myself passionate: one does at that age. But now, when I come to consider myself candidly, I find that I am really one of those who never deeply felt nor strongly willed. Everything is profoundly indifferent to me. I sometimes try to depress myself with the thought that the world is a cess-pool, that men are pathetic degenerates from the ape whose laboriously manufactured ideals are pure nonsense and find no rhyme in reality, that the whole of life is a bad joke which takes a long time coming to an end. But it really doesn't upset me. I don't care a curse. It's deplorable; one ought to care. The best people do care. Still, I must say I should like to get possession of Miss Toomis. Confound that Grattarol woman. What on earth did she want to rush me like that for, do you suppose? PAUL. I expect we shall find out now. (PAUL _jerks his head towards the left._ LUCREZIA _and_ AMY _are seen entering from the garden_, LUCREZIA _holds her companion's arm and marches with a firm step towards the two men_. AMY _suffers herself to be drugged along_.) LUCREZIA. Vicomte, Miss Toomis wants you to tell her all about Correggio. AMY (_rather scared_). Oh, really--I.... LUCREZIA. And (_sternly_)--and Michelangelo. She is so much interested in art. AMY. But please--don't trouble.... PAUL (_bowing gracefully_). I shall be delighted. And in return I hope Miss Toomis will tell me all about Longfellow. AMY (_brightening_). Oh yes, don't you just love Evangeline? PAUL. I do; and with your help, Miss Toomis, I hope I shall learn to love her better. LUCREZIA (_to_ DOLPHIN, _who has been looking from_ AMY _to the_ VICOMTE _and back again at_ AMY _with eyes that betray a certain disquietude_). You really must come and look at the moon rising over the hills, Mr. Dolphin. One sees it best from the lower terrace. Shall we go? DOLPHIN (_starts and shrinks_). But it's rather cold, isn't it? I mean--I think I ought to go and write a letter. LUCREZIA. Oh, you can do that to-morrow. DOLPHIN. But really. LUCREZIA. You've no idea how lovely the moon looks. DOLPHIN. But I must.... LUCREZIA (_lays her hand on his sleeve and tows hint after her, crying as she goes_). The moon, the moon.... (PAUL _and_ AMY _regard their exit in silence_.) PAUL. He doesn't look as though he much wanted to go and see the moon. AMY. Perhaps he guesses what's in store for him. PAUL (_surprised_). What, you don't mean to say you realised all the time? AMY. Realised what? PAUL. About la belle Lucrezia. AMY. I don't know what you mean. All I know is that she means to give Mr. Dolphin a good talking to. He's so mercenary. It made me quite indignant when she told me about him. Such a schemer, too. You know in America we have very definite ideas about honour. PAUL. Here too, Miss Toomis.