You’re very kind. Pleasure to play to you! Such a sympathetic audience! So comprehending! It was nothing to “put it over” to you! [_Turns to MR. MANNING, snuggling up to him._] Poor darling! I do treat you atrociously, don’t I? But you know I don’t mean it! [_Affectionate business between “ANNA” and “PAOLO” as they disappear._] MRS. FESSENDEN. [_Through her lorgnons._] Are they man and wife? MRS. BENNETT. I think that—well— Perhaps they’re—they’re engaged— MRS. FESSENDEN. Ladies, the meeting will please come to order for the purpose of discussing the play. [_They move quickly the chairs and tables to their former positions, as in the prologue, and take their places._] I think we are agreed as to our indebtedness to the essayist of the day, Mrs. Bennett, for arranging the play. We do not need to pass a formal vote of thanks. Our hostess cannot fail to have seen our evident—er—interest. A discussion of the play is now in order. To facilitate this I have jotted down a few questions which occurred to me during the presentation of this—er—unusual play. Here is the first question. [_Reads._] “Is it to be regretted that Giacosa compressed the material for a rare psychological development into the narrow frame of a single act?” MRS. BROKMORTON. [_Rising._] Madam Chairman, it seems to me the volcanic character of the problem presented calls for brevity rather than prolixity. The eruption was sudden, torrential, devastating, and does not need, nay, does not permit of elaboration. What would have been gained had we had a preceding act, for instance? Nothing. Had we witnessed the despair and suicide of Luciano the situation would not have been developed more clearly than it was by Paolo’s explanation to Mario about the letters. It seems to me this play is a masterpiece of construction; I consider one act is sufficient. MRS. STEDMAN. [_Rising very slowly._] There is a far more important reason for brevity than construction. Even a one-act play may be one act too long. For a mixed audience, or for innocent young minds, I should suggest the less the better of this sort of food. [_Sits down hard._] MRS. FESSENDEN. I think that this play is strong mental pabulum for any age! We will consider one act is sufficient. [_Picks up paper._] Here is the second question: “Are Paolo’s nature and the quality of his love for Anna above or below those of the average well-bred gentleman of our acquaintance?” MISS FESSENDEN. Well, I don’t think a well-bred gentleman ought to pry like that. MISS JENNINGS. I haven’t any husband, of course, but I should think a husband would want to know whether— MRS. BENNETT. But she’d done all she could! She’d been faithful, hadn’t she? She couldn’t help what she felt. What right had he to force her confession? MRS. FESSENDEN. Let us put the question in another form first. “Should a wife have a secret of any sort from her husband?” MRS. STEDMAN.