_Miss Seaton._ I don't _want_ to be started--and if you really don't know why I hate your coming here in this way, Lord STRATHSPORRAN, it's useless to explain! _Lord Strath._ Oh, we got as far as that upstairs, didn't we? And I may be very dense, but for the life of me I can't see yet why I shouldn't have come! Of course, I didn't know I was in for _this_ exactly, but, to tell you the truth, I'm by way of being here on business, and I didn't care much whether they were cheery or not, so long as I got what I _came_ for, don't you know! _Miss Seaton._ Of course, that is the main thing in your eyes--but I didn't think you would confess it! _Lord Strath._ Why, you know how keen I used to be about my Egyptian work--you remember the book on Hieroglyphs I always meant to write? I'm getting on with it, though of course my time's a good deal taken up just now. And, whether I get anything out of these people or not, I've met _you_ again, MARJORY--I don't mind anything else! _Miss Seaton._ Don't remind me of--of what you used to be, and--and you are not to call me MARJORY any more. We have met--and I only hope and pray we may never meet again. Please don't talk any more! _Lord Strath._ (_to himself._) That's a facer! I wonder if MARJORY'S quite--is this the effect of that infernal influenza? _Mrs. Tid._ (_to him in an under-tone_). You and Miss SEATON appear to be on very familiar terms. I really feel it my duty to ask you when and how you made the acquaintance of my daughter's governess. _Lord Strath._ (_to himself_). The governess! That explains a lot. Poor little MARJORY! (_Aloud._) Really? I congratulate you. I had the honour of knowing Miss SEATON in Scotland a year or two ago, and this is the first time we have met since. _Mrs. Tid._ Indeed? That is _so far_ satisfactory. I hope you will understand that, so long as Miss SEATON is in my employment, I cannot allow her to--er--continue your acquaintanceship--it is not as if you were in a position---- _Lord Strath._ (_with suppressed wrath._) Forgive me--but, as Miss SEATON shows no desire whatever to renew my acquaintance, I don't see that we need discuss my position, or hers either. And I must decline to do so. _Mrs. Tid._ (_crimsoning._) Oh, very _well_. I am not accustomed to be told what subjects I am to discuss at my own table, but (_scathingly_) no doubt your _position here_ gives you the right to be independent--ahoo! _Lord Strath._ I venture to think so. (_To himself._) Can't make this woman out--is she trying to be rude, or what? _Uncle Gab._ Hullo, your Lordship's got no Champagne! How's that? It's all _right_--"FIZZLER, '84," my Lord! _Lord Strath._ I daresay--but the fact is, I am strictly forbidden to touch it. _Uncle Gab._ Pooh!--if your Lordship will excuse the remark--_this_ won't do you any harm--comes out of my own cellar, so I _ought_ to know. (_To_ SEAKALE.) Here, you, fill his Lordship's glass, d'ye hear?