_Lady Maisie._ There are limits even to _my_ tolerance, Mr. BLAIR. I admit I find some people insufferable--but Captain THICKNESSE is not one of them. _Und._ Then appearances are deceptive indeed. Come, Lady MAISIE, surely you can trust Me! [Lady CANTIRE _enters_. _Lady Cantire_ (_in her most awful tones_). MAISIE, my dear, I appear to have interrupted an interview of a somewhat confidential character. If so, pray let me know it, and I will go elsewhere. _Lady Maisie_ (_calmly_). Not in the very least, Mamma. Mr. BLAIR was merely trying to prepare me for the fact that Captain THICKNESSE has come back; which was quite needless, as I happen to have heard it already from his own lips. _Lady Cant._ Captain THICKNESSE come back! (_To_ UNDERSHELL.) I wish to speak to my daughter. May I ask you to leave us? _Und._ With pleasure, Lady CANTIRE. (_To himself, as he retires._) What a consummate actress that girl is! And what a coquette! _Lady Cant._ (_after a silence_). MAISIE, what does all this mean? No _nonsense_ now! What brought GERALD THICKNESSE back? _Lady Maisie._ I _suppose_ the dog-cart, Mamma. He missed his train, you know. I don't think he minds--much. _Lady Cant._ Let me tell you _this_, my dear. It is a great deal more than you _deserve_ after---- How long has he come back for? _Lady Maisie._ Only a few hours; but--but from things he said, I fancy he would stay on longer--if Aunt ALBINIA asked him. _Lady Cant._ Then we may consider that settled; he stays. (Lady CULVERIN _appears_.) Here _is_ your Aunt. You had better leave us, my dear. SOMEWHAT LATER; THE PARTY HAVE ASSEMBLED FOR LUNCH. _Sir Rup._ (_to his wife_). Well, my dear, I've seen that young SPURRELL (smart fellow he is too, thoroughly up in his business), and you'll be glad to hear he can't find anything seriously wrong with _Deerfoot_. _Und._ (_in the background, to himself_). No more could I, for that matter! _Sir Rup._ He's clear it isn't navicular, which ADAMS was afraid of, and he thinks, with care and rest, you know, the horse will be as fit as a fiddle in a very few days. _Und._ (_to himself_). Just exactly what I _told_ them; but the fools wouldn't believe _me!_ _Lady Culverin._ Oh, RUPERT, I _am_ so glad. How clever of that nice Mr. SPURRELL! I was afraid my poor _Deerfoot_ would have to be shot. _Und._ (_to himself_). She may thank me that he _wasn't_. And this other fellow gets all the credit for it. How like Life! _Lady Maisie._ And, Uncle RUPERT, how about--about PHILLIPSON, you know? Is it all right? _Sir Rup._ PHILLIPSON? Oh, why, 'pon my word, my dear, didn't think of asking. _Lady Rhoda._ But _I_ did, MAISIE. And they met this mornin', and it's all settled, and they're as happy as they can be. Except that he's on the look out for a mysterious stranger, who disappeared last night, after tryin' to make desperate love to her. He is determined, if he can find him, to give him a piece of his mind.