_Tred._ No, Sir, excuse me; but you can't hardly do that _now_. I was to say that Sir RUPERT and the ladies would be glad to see you in the Droring Room himmediate. _Und._ Man alive! do you imagine anything would induce me to meet them now, after the humiliations I have been compelled to suffer under this roof? _Tred._ If you would prefer anything that has taken place in the Room, Sir, or in the stables to be 'ushed up---- _Und._ Prefer it! If it were only possible! But they know--they _know!_ What's the use of talking like that? _Tred._ (_to himself_). I know where I am now! (_Aloud._) They know nothink up to the present, Mr. UNDERSHELL, nor yet I see no occasion why they should--leastwise from any of _Us_. _Und._ But they know I'm here; how am I to account for all the time----? _Tred._ Excuse me. Sir. I thought of that, and it occurred to me as it might be more agreeable to your feelings, Sir, if I conveyed an impression that you had only just arrived--'aving missed your train, Sir. _Und._ (_overjoyed_). How am I to thank you? that was really most discreet of you--most considerate! _Tred._ I am truly rejoiced to hear you say so, Sir. And I'll take care nothing leaks out. And if you'll be kind enough to follow me to the Droring Room, the ladies are waiting to see you. _Und._ (_to himself_). I may actually meet Lady MAISIE MULL after all! (_Aloud, recollecting his condition_.) But I can't go down like this. I'm in such a horrible mess! _Tred._ I reelly don't perceive it, Sir; there's a little white on your coat-collar behind. Allow me--there, it's off now. (_He gives him a hand-glass._) If you'd like to see for yourself. _Und._ (_to himself as he looks_). A little pallor, that's all. I am more presentable than I could have hoped. (_Aloud._) Have the kindness to take me to Lady CULVERIN at once. SCENE XXIX.--_The Chinese Drawing Room._ _A few minutes later._ _Sir Rup._ (_to_ UNDERSHELL, _after the introductions have been gone through_). And so you missed the 4.55 and had to come on by the 7.30, which stops everywhere, eh? _Und._ It--it certainly does stop at most stations. _Sir Rup._ And how did you get on to Wyvern--been here long? _Und._ N-not _particularly_ long. _Sir Rup._ Fact is, you see, we made a mistake. Very ridiculous, but we've been taking that young fellow, Mr. SPURRELL, for _you_, all this time; so we never thought of inquiring whether you'd come or not. It was only just now he told us how he'd met you in the Verney Chamber, and the very handsome way, if you will allow me to say so, in which you had tried to efface yourself. _Und._ (_to himself_). I didn't expect him to take _that_ view of it! (_Aloud._) I--I felt I had no alternative. [Lady MAISIE _regards him with admiration_. _Sir Rup._ You did an uncommon fine thing, Sir, and I'm afraid you received treatment on your arrival which you had every right to resent.