_Culch._ I--ah--appear to have interrupted a highly interesting conversation? _Maud._ Well, we were having a little discussion, and I guess you're in time to give the casting vote--HYPATIA, you want to keep just where you are, do you hear? I mean you should listen to Mr. CULCHARD's opinion. _Culch._ (_flattered_). Which I shall be delighted to give, if you will put me in possession of the--er--facts. _Maud._ Well, these are the--er--facts. There were two gentlemen under vow--maybe you'll understand the working of that arrangement better than I do?--under vow for the same young lady. [HYPATIA PRENDERGAST, sit still, or I declare I'll pinch you!] One of them comes up and tells her that he's arrived at the conclusion the other admirer is the better man, and, being a friend of his, he ought to retire in his favour, and he does it, too, right away. Now _I_ say that isn't natural--he'd some other motive. Miss PRENDERGAST here will have it he was one of those noble unselfish natures that deserve they should be stuffed for a museum. What's _your_ opinion now? _Culch._ (_perspiring freely_). Why--er--really, on so delicate a matter, I--I-- [_He maunders._ _Hyp._ MAUD, why _will_ you be so headstrong! (_In a rapid whisper._) Can't you see ... can't you _guess_?... _Maud._ I guess I want to make sure Mr. CULCHARD isn't that kind of magnanimous man himself. I shouldn't want him to renounce _me_! _Hyp._ MAUD! You might at _least_ wait until Mr. CULCHARD has-- _Maud._ Oh, but he _did_--weeks ago, at Bingen. And at Lugano, too, the other day, he spoke out tolerable plain. I guess he didn't wish any secret made about it--_did_ you, Mr. CULCHARD? _Culch._ I--ah--this conversation is rather ... If you'll excuse me-- [_Escapes with as much dignity as he can command._ _Maud._ Well, my dear,--that's the sort of self-denying hairpin _he_ is! What do you think of him _now_? _Hyp._ I do not think so highly of him, I confess. His renunciation was evidently less prompted by consideration for his friend than by a recollection--tardy enough, I am afraid--of the duty which bound him to _you_, dearest. But if you had seen and heard him, as I did, you would not have doubted the _reality_ of the sacrifice, whatever the true reason may have been. For myself, I am conscious of neither anger nor sorrow--my heart, as I told you, was never really affected. But what must it be to _you_, darling! _Maud._ Well, I believe I'm more amused than anything. _Hyp._ Amused! But surely you don't mean to have anything more to do with him? _Maud._ My dear girl, I intend to have considerable more to do with him before I'm through. He's under vow for _me_ now, anyway, and I don't mean he should forget it, either. He's my monkey, and he's got to jump around pretty lively, at the end of a tolerable short chain, too. And I guess, if it comes to renouncing, all the magnanimity's going to be on _my_ side this time! _IN AN AVENUE._