[Illustration: "Do come and search for snowdrops!"] _Lady Maisie._ Not just now. I think--(_as she shields her eyes with one hand_)--I'm not quite sure yet--but I rather fancy that must be my maid at the other end of the walk. _Und._ (_eagerly_). _I_ assure you, Lady MAISIE, you are quite mistaken. Not the _least_ like her! _Lady Maisie_ (_astonished_). Why, how can you possibly tell that, without having seen her, Mr. BLAIR? _Und._ I--I meant---- You described her as "pretty," you know. This girl is plain--distinctly plain! _Lady Maisie._ I don't agree at all. However, it certainly is PHILLIPSON, and she seems to have come out in search of me; so I had better see if she has any message. _Und._ She hasn't. I'm _positive_ she hasn't. She--she wouldn't walk like _that_ if she had. (_In feverish anxiety._) Lady MAISIE, shall we turn back? She--she hasn't seen us _yet!_ _Lady Maisie._ Really, Mr. BLAIR! I don't quite see why I should run away from my own maid!... What is it, PHILLIPSON? [_She advances to meet_ PHILLIPSON, _leaving_ UNDERSHELL _behind, motionless._ _Und._ (_to himself_). It's all over! That confounded girl recognises me. I saw her face change! She'll be jealous, I _know_ she'll be jealous--and then she'll tell Lady MAISIE everything!... I wish to Heaven I could hear what she is saying. Lady MAISIE seems agitated.... I--I might stroll gently on and leave them; but it would look too like running away, perhaps. No, I'll stay here and face it out, like a man! I won't give up just yet. (_He sinks limply upon the bench._) After all, I've been in worse holes than this since I came into this infernal place, and I've always managed to scramble out--triumphantly, too! If she will only give me five minutes alone, I _know_ I can clear myself; it isn't as if I had done anything to be _ashamed_ of.... She's sent away that girl. She seems to be expecting me to come to her.... I--I suppose I'd better. [_He rises with effort, and goes towards_ Lady MAISIE _with a jaunty unconsciousness that somehow has the air of stopping short just above the knees_. * * * * * COUNTING NOSES. [Illustration]