[_He goes._ _Podb._ Didn't take much _forcing_, after he once heard me call him "Lord UPPERSOLE"! Where are all the others, eh? Thought we were going up to the Villa Serbelloni this afternoon. _Culch._ I--er--have not been consulted. Are they--er--_all_ going? [_With a shade of anxiety._ _Podb._ I believe so. You needn't be afraid, you know. HYPATIA won't have the chance of ragging you now--she and Miss TROTTER have had a bit of a breeze. _Culch._ I rather gathered as much. I think I could guess the-- _Podb._ Yes, HYPATIA's rather uneasy about poor old BOB; thinks Miss TROTTER is--well, carrying on, you know. She is no end of a little flirt--_you_ know that well enough!--(_C. disclaims impatiently._) Here you all are, eh?--(_To Miss P., Miss T., and BOB._)--Well, who knows the way up to the villa? _Miss T._ It's through the town, and up some steps by the church--you cann't miss it. But Mr. PRENDERGAST is going to show me a short cut up behind the hotel--aren't you, Mr. PRENDERGAST? _Miss P._ (_icily_). I really think, dear, it would be better if we all kept together--for so _many_ reasons! _Culch._ (_with alacrity_). I agree with Miss PRENDERGAST. A short cut is invariably the most indirect route. _Miss P._ (_with intention_). You hear what Mr. CULCHARD says, my dear MAUD? He advocates direct ways, as best in the long run. _Miss T._ It's only going to be a short run, my love. But I'm vurry glad to observe that you and Mr. CULCHARD are so perfectly harmonious, as I'm leaving him on your hands for a spell. Aren't you ever coming, Mr. PRENDERGAST? [_She leads him off, a not unwilling captive._ _A PATH IN THE GROUNDS OF THE VILLA SERBELLONI._ _Podb._ (_considerately, to CULCHARD, who is following Miss PRENDERGAST and him, in acute misery_). Look here, old fellow, Miss PRENDERGAST would like to sit down, I know; so don't you bother about keeping with us if you'd rather _not_, you know! [_CULCHARD murmurs an inarticulate protest._ _Miss P._ Surely, Mr. PODBURY, you are aware by this time that Mr. CULCHARD has a perfect mania for self-sacrifice! [_CULCHARD drops behind, crushed._ _AMONG THE RUINS AT THE TOP OF THE HILL._ _Culch._ (_who has managed to overtake Miss T. and her companion_). Now _do_ oblige me by looking through that gap in the pines towards Lecco. I particularly wish you to observe the effect of light on those cliffs--it's well worth your while. _Miss T._ Why, certainly, it's a view that does you infinite credit. Oh, you _didn't_ take any hand in the arrangement? But ain't you afraid if you go around patting the scenery on the head this way, you'll have the lake overflow? _Bob. P._ Ha-ha-ha! One in the eye for _you_, CULCHARD! _Culch._ (_with dignity_). Surely one may express a natural enthusiasm without laying oneself open--? _Miss T._ Gracious, yes! I should hope you wouldn't want to show your enthusiasm _that_ way--like a Japanese nobleman!