Not at all, not at all. I only thought it might save trouble. LADY FREDERICK. [_Calling._] Gerald. Come along. [_They come in._] We've had our little talk. GERALD. Everything satisfactory? LADY FREDERICK. [_With a look at the_ ADMIRAL.] Quite. ADMIRAL. [_Gruffly._] Quite. LADY FREDERICK'S FOOTMAN _enters._ FOOTMAN. Captain Montgomerie wishes to know if he may see your ladyship. LADY FREDERICK. I'd forgotten all about him. GERALD. Let me go to him, shall I? LADY FREDERICK. No, I'm not afraid of him any longer. He can't do anything to you. And as far as I'm concerned it doesn't matter. GERALD. Then I'll tell him to go to the devil. LADY FREDERICK. No, I'm going to tell him that myself. [_To the_ FOOTMAN.] Ask Captain Montgomerie to come here. FOOTMAN. Yes, miladi. [_Exit._ Lady Frederick. [_Walking up and down furiously._] I'm going to tell him that myself. FOULDES. Now keep calm, Betsy. LADY FREDERICK. [_Very deliberately._] I shall not keep calm. FOULDES. Remember that you're a perfect lady. LADY FREDERICK. Don't interfere with me. I ate humble pie yesterday, and it didn't agree with me at all. [FOOTMAN _enters to announce_ CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE, _who follows him, and immediately withdraws._ FOOTMAN. Captain Montgomerie. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. How d'you do. [_He is obviously surprised to see the others._ LADY FREDERICK. [_Pleasantly._] Quite a party, aren't we? CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. Yes. [_A pause._] I hope you don't mind my coming so early? LADY FREDERICK. Not at all. You made an appointment for half-past ten. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. I trust you have good news for me. LADY FREDERICK. Captain Montgomerie, every one here knows the circumstances that have brought you. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. I should have thought it wiser for both our sakes not to make them too public. LADY FREDERICK. [_Very amiably._] I don't see why you should be ashamed because you made me a proposal of marriage? CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. I'm sorry you should think it a laughing matter, Lady Frederick. LADY FREDERICK. I don't. I never laugh at an impertinence. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. [_Taken aback._] I beg your pardon. LADY FREDERICK. Surely the receipt of my brother's letter was sufficient answer for you. After that you must have guessed there was no likelihood that I should change my mind. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. What letter? I don't understand. GERALD. I sent you a note this morning enclosing a cheque for the money I lost to you. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. I've not received it. GERALD. It must be waiting for you at the hotel. [CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE _pauses and looks meditatively at the assembled company_. LADY FREDERICK. I think there's nothing for which I need detain you longer. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. [_Smiling._] I don't think I've quite finished yet. Has it slipped your memory that the two bills fall due to-day? Allow me to present them. [_He takes them out of his pocket-book._