_Spurr._ (_puzzled_). What if she did? Why, I thought her la--your Mother _knew_! _Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). He actually thinks I should tell Mamma! Oh, how _dense_ he is! (_Aloud._) Yes--yes--of _course_ she knows--but--but you might _wake_ her! And--and please don't allude to it again--to me or--or anyone. (_To herself._) That I should have to beg him to be silent like this! But what can I _do_? Goodness only knows _what_ he mightn't say, if I don't warn him! _Spurr._ (_nettled_). I don't mind _who_ knows. _I'm_ not ashamed of it, Lady MAISIE--whatever you may be! _Lady Maisie_ (_to herself, exasperated_). He dares to imply that _I_'ve done something to be ashamed of! (_Aloud; haughtily._) I'm _not_ ashamed--why _should_ I be? Only--oh, can't you _really_ understand that--that one may do things which one wouldn't care to be reminded of publicly? I don't _wish_ it--isn't _that_ enough? _Spurr._ (_to himself_). I see what she's at now--doesn't want it to come out that she's travelled down here with a vet! (_Aloud, stiffly._) A lady's wish is enough for _me_ at anytime. If you're sorry for having gone out of your way to be friendly, why, I'm not the person to take advantage of it. I hope I know how to behave. [_He takes refuge in offended silence._ _Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). Why did I say anything at all! I've only made things worse--I've let him see that he _has_ an advantage. And he's certain to use it sooner or later--unless I am civil to him. I've offended him now--and I shall _have_ to make it up with him! _Spurr._ (_to himself_). I thought all along she didn't seem as chummy as her mother--but to turn round on me like this! _Lady Cant._ (_waking up_). Well, Mr. ANDROMEDA, I should have thought you and my daughter might have found _some_ subject in common; but I haven't heard a word from either of you since we left the station. _Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). That's _some_ comfort! (_Aloud._) You must have had a nap, Mamma. We--we _have_ been talking. _Spurr._ Oh yes, we _have_ been talking, I can assure you--er--Lady CANTIRE! _Lady Cant._ Dear me. Well, MAISIE, I hope the conversation was entertaining? _Lady Maisie._ M-most entertaining, Mamma! _Lady Cant._ I'm quite sorry I missed it. (_The omnibus stops._) Wyvern at last! But _what_ a journey it's been, to be sure! _Spurr._ (_to himself_). I should just think it had. I've never been so taken up and put down in all my life! But it's over now; and, thank goodness, I'm not likely to see any more of 'em! [_He gets out with alacrity._ * * * * * [Illustration: "THE LITTLE MORE AND HOW MUCH IT IS." _She_ (_engaged to another_). "WE DON'T SEEM TO BE GETTING ON VERY WELL; SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE WEIGHING US DOWN!" _He_ (_gloomily_). "IT'S THAT DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE RING ON YOUR LEFT HAND. WE SHOULD BE ALL RIGHT IF IT WEREN'T FOR THAT!"] * * * * *