BOULGER. Don't press her. She's already had far too many. MRS. CROWLEY. Well, I'll forego the pressing, but not the cigarette. CARBERY. [_Handing her the box and giving her a light._] It's against all my principles, you know. MRS. CROWLEY. What _is_ the use of principles except to give one an agreeable sensation of wickedness when one doesn't act up to them? [DICK _comes in as she speaks._ DICK. My dear lady, you're as epigrammatic as a dramatist. Do you say such things from choice or necessity? LADY KELSEY. _Dick!_ BOULGER. Dick! MRS. CROWLEY. Mr. Lomas! CARBERY. Ah! [_The four exclamations are simultaneous._ DICK. This enthusiasm at my appearance is no less gratifying than unexpected. LADY KELSEY. I'm so glad you've come at last. Now we shall get at the truth. BOULGER. [_Impatiently._] Well? DICK. My dear people, what _are_ you talking about? BOULGER. Oh, don't be such an ass! MRS. CROWLEY. Good heavens, didn't you read the _Times_ this morning? DICK. I only came back from Paris to-night. Besides, I never read the papers except in August. MRS. CROWLEY. [_Raising her eyebrows._] When there's nothing in them? DICK. Pardon me, I'm an eager student of the sea-serpent and the giant gooseberry. LADY KELSEY. My dear Dick, it's too shocking. I wish I'd had the courage to write and ask Mr. Mackenzie not to come. But since you both came back from Africa a month ago he's been here nearly every day. And he's been so good and kind to us, I couldn't treat him as though there was no doubt the story was true. BOULGER. There can't be the least doubt about it. By George, I should like to kick him. DICK. [_Dryly._] My dear chap, Alec is a hardy Scot and bigger than you, so I shouldn't advise you to try. BOULGER. I was engaged to dine with him to-night, but I wired to say I had a headache. LADY KELSEY. What will he think if he sees you here? BOULGER. He can think what he jolly well likes. LADY KELSEY. I hope he has the sense to stay away. CARBERY. I think you're pretty safe now, Lady Kelsey. It's growing late. DICK. Will some one kindly explain? MRS. CROWLEY. D'you mean to say you really don't know--seriously? After all, you were with him. LADY KELSEY. My dear Dick, there are two columns of fiery denunciation in this morning's _Times_. [DICK _is a little startled, but at once collects himself_. DICK. Oh, that's only the reaction. That's nothing. Since he arrived in Mombassa, after three years in the heart of Africa, he's made almost a triumphal progress. Of course, it couldn't last. The reaction was bound to come. BOULGER. [_Looking at him steadily._] The article is signed by a man named Macinnery. DICK. [_Calmly._] Alec found Macinnery half starving at Mombassa, and took him solely out of charity. But he was a worthless rascal, and he had to send him back. BOULGER. He gives ample proof for every word he says. DICK.