CYNTHIA. [_Reading her newspaper, advances into the room, immersed, excited, trembling. She lowers paper to catch the light._] "Belmont favourite--six to one--Rockaway--Rosebud, and Flying Cloud. Slow track--raw wind--h'm, h'm, h'm--At the half, Rockaway forged ahead, when Rosebud under the lash made a bold bid for victory--neck by neck--for a quarter--when Flying Cloud slipped by the pair and won on the post by a nose in one forty nine!" [_Speaking with the enthusiasm of a sport._] Oh, I wish I'd seen the dear thing do it. Oh, it's Mr. Sudley! You must think me very rude. How do you do, Mr. Sudley? [_Going over to_ SUDLEY. SUDLEY. [_Bowing without cordiality._] Mrs. Karslake. [CYNTHIA _pauses, feeling he should say something. As he says nothing, she speaks again._ CYNTHIA. I hope Cairo was delightful? Did you have a smooth voyage? SUDLEY. [_Pompously._] You must permit me, Mrs. Karslake-- CYNTHIA. [_With good temper, somewhat embarrassed, and talking herself into ease._] Oh, please don't welcome me to the family. All that formal part is over, if you don't mind. I'm one of the tribe now! You're coming to our wedding to-morrow? SUDLEY. My dear Mrs. Karslake, I think it might be wiser-- CYNTHIA. [_Still with cordial good temper._] Oh, but you must come! I mean to be a perfect wife to Philip and all his relations! That sounds rather miscellaneous, but you know what I mean. SUDLEY. [_Very sententious._] I am afraid-- CYNTHIA. [_Gay and still covering her embarrassment._] If you don't come, it'll look as if you were not standing by Philip when he's in trouble! You'll come, won't you--but of course you will. SUDLEY. [_After a self-important pause._] I will come, Mrs. Karslake. [_Pausing._] Good-afternoon. [_In a tone of sorrow and light compassion._] Good-bye, Mary. Good-afternoon, Sarah. [_Sighing._] Grace, dear. [_To_ MISS HENEAGE.] At what hour did you say the alimony commences? MISS HENEAGE. [_Quickly and commandingly to cover his slip._] The ceremony is at three P. M., William. [SUDLEY _walks toward the door._ MRS. PHILLIMORE. [_With fatigued voice and manner as she rises._] I am going to my room to rest awhile. [_She trails slowly from the room._ MISS HENEAGE. [_To_ SUDLEY.] Oh, William, one moment--I entirely forgot! I've a most important social question to ask you! [_She accompanies him slowly to the door._] in regard to the announcements of the wedding--who they shall be sent to and who not. For instance--the Dudleys-- [_Deep in their talk_, SUDLEY _and_ MISS HENEAGE _pass out together._ CYNTHIA. [_From the sofa._] So that's Cousin William? GRACE. [_From the tea-table._] Don't you like him? CYNTHIA. [_Calmly sarcastic._] Like him? I love him. He's so generous. He couldn't have received me with more warmth if I'd been a mulatto.