LADY FREDERICK. I'm very sorry I can't pay them--at present. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. I regret that I can't wait. You must pay them. LADY FREDERICK. I tell you it's impossible. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. Then I shall get an order against you. LADY FREDERICK. That you may do to your heart's content. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. You realise the consequences. It's not very nice to be an undischarged bankrupt. LADY FREDERICK. Much nicer than to marry a rascally money-lender. FOULDES. May I look at these interesting documents? CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. Certainly. [_Blandly._] I haven't the least wish to be offensive. FOULDES. [_Taking them._] You fail lamentably in achieving your wish. Three thousand five hundred pounds in all. It seems hardly worth while to make a fuss about so small a sum. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. I'm in urgent need of money. FOULDES. [_Ironically._] So rich a man as you? CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. Even a rich man may be temporarily embarrassed. FOULDES. Then be so good as to wait for one moment. [_He sits down at a table and writes a cheque._] No sight is more affecting than that of a millionaire in financial straits. LADY FREDERICK. Paradine! FOULDES. [_Handing the cheque._] Now, sir, I think that settles it. Will you exchange my cheque for those bills? CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. Damn you, I forgot you. FOULDES. You may not be aware that it's unusual to swear in the presence of ladies. CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE. [_Looking at the cheque._] I suppose it's all right. [PARADINE _goes to the door and opens it_. FOULDES. There is the window, and here is the door. Which will you choose? [CAPTAIN MONTGOMERIE _looks at him without answering, shrugs his shoulders and goes out_. LADY FREDERICK. Oh, Paradine, you are a brick. GERALD. I say it's awfully good of you. FOULDES. Nonsense. I've got a strong sense of effect, and I always cultivate the dramatic situation. LADY FREDERICK. I shall never be able to pay you back, Paradine. FOULDES. My dear, I'm not entirely devoid of intelligence. ADMIRAL. Well, well, I must be off to take my constitutional. LADY FREDERICK. And Rose and Gerald must take care of you. We shall all meet at luncheon. ADMIRAL. Yes, yes. [_The_ ADMIRAL, ROSE _and_ GERALD _go out._ LADY FREDERICK _goes up to_ PARADINE _and takes his hands._ LADY FREDERICK. Thanks awfully. You are a good friend. FOULDES. By George, how your eyes glitter! LADY FREDERICK. It's only belladonna, you know. FOULDES. I'm not such a fool as my nephew, my dear. LADY FREDERICK. Why did you do it? FOULDES. D'you know what gratitude is? LADY FREDERICK. Thanks for past favours and a lively sense of benefits to come. FOULDES. Well, yesterday you had my sister in the hollow of your hand. She gave you great provocation, and you burnt those confounded letters. LADY FREDERICK. My dear Paradine, I can't get over my own magnanimity. And what are the benefits to come? FOULDES.