To shield herself she told the first lie that came into her head. She said to Peter that Roger Bellingham was my lover--and she threw herself on my mercy. She was a poor, weak little creature, and if there'd been a scandal she'd have gone to the dogs altogether. It had only been a momentary infatuation for Roger, and the scare had cured her. At the bottom of her heart she loved her husband still. I was desperately unhappy, and I didn't care much what became of me. She promised to turn over a new leaf and all that sort of thing. I thought I'd better give her another chance of going straight. I did what she wanted. I wrote that letter taking all the blame on myself, and Kate lived happily with her husband till she died. MERESTON. It was just like you. LADY MERESTON. But Lord and Lady Peter are dead? LADY FREDERICK. Yes. LADY MERESTON. And Roger Bellingham? LADY FREDERICK. He's dead too. LADY MERESTON. Then how can you prove your account of this affair? LADY FREDERICK. I can't. LADY MERESTON. And does this convince you, Charlie? MERESTON. Of course. LADY MERESTON. [_Impatiently._] Good heavens, the boy's out of his senses. Paradine, for Heaven's sake say something. FOULDES. Well, much as it may displease you, my dear, I'm afraid I agree with Charlie. LADY MERESTON. You don't mean to say you believe this cock-and-bull story? FOULDES. I do. LADY MERESTON. Why? FOULDES. Well, you see, Lady Frederick's a very clever woman. She would never have invented such an utterly improbable tale, which can't possibly be proved. If she'd been guilty, she'd have had ready at least a dozen proofs of her innocence. LADY MERESTON. But that's absurd. FOULDES. Besides, I've known Lady Frederick a long time, and she has at least a thousand faults. LADY FREDERICK. [_With flashing eyes._] Thanks. FOULDES. But there's something I will say for her. She's not a liar. If she tells me a thing, I don't hesitate for a moment to believe it. LADY FREDERICK. It's not a matter of the smallest importance if any of you believe me or not. Be so good as to ring, Charlie. MERESTON. Certainly. [_He rings, and a_ SERVANT _immediately comes in_. LADY FREDERICK. Tell my servant that he's to come here at once and bring the despatch-box which is in my dressing-room. SERVANT. Yes, miladi. [_Exit._ FOULDES. [_Quickly._] I say, what are you going to do? LADY FREDERICK. That is absolutely no business of yours. FOULDES. Be a brick, Betsy, and don't give her those letters. LADY FREDERICK. I think I've had enough of this business. I'm proposing to finish with it. FOULDES. Temper, temper. LADY FREDERICK. [_Stamping her foot._] Don't say temper to me, Paradine. [_She walks up and down angrily._ PARADINE _sits at the piano and with one finger strums "Rule Britannia."_ MERESTON. Shut up. [_He takes a book, flings it at his head and misses._ FOULDES.