I was so delighted to see the announcement in the morning’s paper. I offer my very warmest congratulations. NELLIE. Thanks, so much. MRS. DOT. I’ve known Gerald for ages. I’m delighted to see him on the way to such a happy marriage. I couldn’t have wished him to get engaged to any one nicer than you. LADY SELLENGER. It’s all so romantic, isn’t it? It ought to be an answer to a cynical creature like you to see the course of true love run so smoothly. MRS. DOT. [_To_ GERALD.] I offer you also my best congratulations. I think you’re very lucky. GERALD. [_Stiffly._] Thank you, very much. I suppose I have my usual room? MRS. DOT. Yes. [_He goes into the house._ LADY SELLENGER _and_ NELLIE _accompany_ AUNT ELIZA. MRS. DOT _is left alone with_ BLENKINSOP. James! BLENKINSOP. Hulloa! MRS. DOT. Do you love me? BLENKINSOP. Passionately. MRS. DOT. [_Stamping her foot._] Don’t be so silly. BLENKINSOP. You can’t expect me to be so uncivil as to say no. MRS. DOT. But I’m perfectly serious. BLENKINSOP. Are you, by Jove? That alters the matter. In that case the answer is in the negative. MRS. DOT. And is there the least chance of your falling in love with me? BLENKINSOP. Not so long as I remain in full possession of my senses. MRS. DOT. Do you want to marry me? BLENKINSOP. Really you embarrass me very much. MRS. DOT. Don’t hedge. BLENKINSOP. It’s a little disconcerting to have a pistol put to your head in the form of a proposal of marriage. MRS. DOT. I’m not making you a proposal of marriage, idiot. BLENKINSOP. Then I should very much like to know what you are doing. MRS. DOT. I’m asking you a very simple and ordinary question. BLENKINSOP. Thank God, it’s not one that women ask often. MRS. DOT. I never saw any one out of whom it’s harder to get a straight answer. BLENKINSOP. You must make allowances for a pardonable agitation. MRS. DOT. James, do you want to marry me? BLENKINSOP. No, bless you! MRS. DOT. Are you quite sure? BLENKINSOP. Positive. MRS. DOT. Would nothing induce you to marry me? BLENKINSOP. Nothing. MRS. DOT. [_With a sigh of relief._] Then you may kiss my hand. BLENKINSOP. [_Doing so._] You’re not hurt? MRS. DOT. I’m infinitely relieved. BLENKINSOP. And Freddie, the dear boy, says he can read a woman at a glance. MRS. DOT. Now listen to me quite seriously. I want you to do something for me. BLENKINSOP. [_Nervously._] We’ve put marriage out of the question, haven’t we? MRS. DOT. Certainly. BLENKINSOP. [_Generously._] You may ask anything else of me. MRS. DOT. I want you to let me make love to you. BLENKINSOP. My dear friend, this is very surprising. MRS. DOT. There are people who’d welcome the proposal with alacrity. BLENKINSOP. For how long? MRS. DOT. Only for a week. BLENKINSOP. You’re sure it’s not in earnest? MRS. DOT. Quite sure. BLENKINSOP. And what have I got to do? MRS. DOT. Well, you’ve got to look as if you liked it. BLENKINSOP.