OLIVIA. A threat? Oh, no, George. But I was just wondering if you love me as much as Brian loves Dinah. You do love me? GEORGE (_from his heart_). Of course I do, old girl. OLIVIA. You're sure it's not just my pretty face that attracts you. Love which is based upon mere outward appearances cannot result in lasting happiness--as one of our thinkers has observed. (_Moving down to settee_ R.) GEORGE. Why should you doubt my love? You can't pretend that we haven't been happy together. (OLIVIA _sits on settee_ R.) I've--(_taking a chair from_ L. _of table_ R.C. _brings it down to_ L. _of_ OLIVIA) I've been a good pal to you, eh? We--we suit each other, old girl. OLIVIA. Do we? GEORGE (_sitting_). Well, of course we do. OLIVIA. I wonder. When two people of our age think of getting married, one wants to be quite sure that there is real community of ideas between them. Supposing that after we have been married some years we found ourselves getting estranged from each other upon such questions as Dinah's future, or the comparatively trivial matter like the right colour for a curtain, or the advice to be given to a friend who had innocently contracted a bigamous marriage. Think how bitterly we should regret our hasty plunge into a matrimony which was no true partnership, whether of tastes or ideas or even of consciences. (_With a sigh_.) Ah me! GEORGE (_turning to her quickly_). Unfortunately for your argument, Olivia, I can answer you out of your own mouth. You seem to have-- (_laughing_)--forgotten what you said this morning in the case of--er-- young Strange. OLIVIA (_with exaggerated reproach_). Oh, but is it quite fair, George, to drag up _what was said this morning_? GEORGE (_enjoying his apparent success_). Ha ha! You've brought it on yourself. OLIVIA. I?... Well, and what did I say this morning? GEORGE. You said that it was quite enough that Strange was a gentleman and in love with Dinah for me to let them marry each other. OLIVIA. Oh! But is that enough, George? GEORGE (_triumphantly_). Well, you said so. OLIVIA (_meekly_). Well, George, if you think so too, I'm quite willing to risk it. GEORGE (_kindly, rising and putting back chair up_ R.C.). Ha ha, my dear! You see! OLIVIA. Then you _do_ think it's enough? GEORGE. I--er--yes, yes, I--I think so. OLIVIA (_rising and going to him and putting her hands on his shoulders_). My darling one! How jolly! Then we can have a double wedding. GEORGE (_astonished_). A double one! OLIVIA. Yes, you and me, Brian and Dinah. GEORGE (_firmly, and taking her hands from his shoulders_). Now look here, Olivia, understand once and for all, I am not to be blackmailed into giving my consent to Dinah's engagement. Neither blackmailed nor tricked. (_Crossing to_ L. _below settee_.) Our marriage has nothing whatever to do with Dinah's. OLIVIA. No, dear, I quite understand. They may take place about the same time, but they have nothing whatever to do with each other.