_Lord Strath._ I merely mention it because it led me to write to Mr. CARTOUCHE--whom I happened to hear of as a famous collector--and ask to be allowed to call and inspect his collection. Mr. CARTOUCHE (who lives, I believe, at No. 92, next door) very kindly wrote, giving me leave, and inviting me to dine at the same time, and--I know it was unpardonably careless of me--but somehow I came here instead, and, Mr. and Mrs. TIDMARSH being both too--er--hospitable to undeceive me, I never found my mistake out till too late to put it right, without inconveniencing everybody. That's really all. [_Uneasy reaction in the company._ _Uncle Gab._ (_pompously_). Ha--hum--no doubt that puts a somewhat different complexion on the case, but it doesn't explain your conduct in calling yourself Lord STRATHFOOZLEUM, or whatever it was. _Lord Strath._ I think you mean STRATHSPORRAN. I did call myself that, because it happens to be my name. _Mrs. Tid._ (_passionately_). I don't believe it.... I _can't_. If it is, why did Miss SEATON call you "Mr. CLAYPOLE"? _Lord Strath._ I beg your pardon--CLAYMORE. Because, when we last met, I was DOUGLAS CLAYMORE, with no prospect whatever, as it seemed then, of being anything else. _Mrs. Tid._ (_faintly_). Then he really is--_Oh_! [_She sinks on the couch, crushed._ _Uncle Gab._ Ha, well, my Lord, I'm glad this little misunderstanding is so satisfactorily cleared up, and if I may venture to hope for the honour of your company,--shall we say Friday wee----(Lord S. _looks at him steadily._) Oh, if your Lordship has some better engagement, well and good. Makes no difference to _me_ I assure you. JOANNA, our carriage must be here by now, say good-bye and have done with it! Good-night, MARIA, I'll see you don't expose me to _this_ again! SCENE XII.--_The guests have all taken leave with extremely frosty farewells_; Mr. TIDMARSH _is downstairs superintending their departure._ GWENNIE _has been pardoned on_ Lord S.'s _intercession, and dismissed, in much bewilderment, to bed._ Mrs. TIDMARSH _and_ Lord STRATHSPORRAN _are alone._ _Mrs. Tid._ (_hysterically_). Oh, Lord STRATHSPORRAN, when I think how I----What can I _ever_ say to you? _Lord Strath._ Only, I hope, that you forgive my stupidity in blundering in here as I did, Mrs. TIDMARSH. _Mrs. Tid._ It _was_ a good deal your fault. If you had only said who you really were--if my husband had not been idiot enough to misunderstand--if Miss SEATON had been more straightforward, all this would never----! [Illustration: "Sitting down heavily on a Settee."] _Lord Strath._ We were all the victims of circumstances, weren't we? But I, at least, have no reason to regret it. And, if I may ask one last indulgence, will you--a--let me have an opportunity of saying good-bye to Miss SEATON?