MATTHEW. [_Approaching_ CYNTHIA'S _chair, happily and pleasantly self-important._] No, really, it was a wonderful sermon, my dear. My text was from Paul--"It is better to marry than to burn." It was a strictly logical sermon. I argued--that, as the grass withereth, and the flower fadeth,--there is nothing final in Nature; not even Death! And, as there is nothing final in Nature, not even Death;--so then if Death is not final--why should marriage be final? [_Gently._] And so the necessity of--eh--divorce! You see? It was an exquisite sermon! All New York was there! And all New York went away happy! Even the sinners--if there were any! I don't often meet sinners--do you? CYNTHIA. [_Indulgently, in spite of his folly, because he is kind._] You're such a dear, delightful Pagan! Here's your tea! MATTHEW. [_Taking the tea._] Why, my dear--you have a very sad expression! CYNTHIA. [_A little bitterly._] Why not? MATTHEW. [_With sentimental sweetness._] I feel as if I were of no use in the world when I see sadness on a young face. Only sinners should feel sad. You have committed no sin! CYNTHIA. [_Impulsively._] Yes, I have! MATTHEW. Eh? CYNTHIA. I committed the unpardonable sin--whe--when I married for love! MATTHEW. One must not marry for anything else, my dear! CYNTHIA. Why am I marrying your brother? MATTHEW. I often wonder why? I wonder why you didn't choose to remain a free woman. CYNTHIA. [_Going over the ground she has often argued with herself._] I meant to; but a divorcee has no place in society. I felt horridly lonely! I wanted a friend. Philip was ideal as a friend--for months. Isn't it nice to bind a friend to you? MATTHEW. [_Setting down his teacup._] Yes--yes! CYNTHIA. [_Growing more and more excited and moved as she speaks._] To marry a friend--to marry on prudent, sensible grounds--a man--like Philip? That's what I should have done first, instead of rushing into marriage--because I had a wild, mad, sensitive, sympathetic--passion and pain and fury--of, I don't know what--that almost strangled me with happiness! MATTHEW. [_Amiable and reminiscent._] Ah--ah--in my youth--I,--I too! CYNTHIA. [_Coming back to her manner of every day._] And besides--the day Philip asked me I was in the dumps! And now--how about marrying only for love? [PHILIP _comes back._ MATTHEW. Ah, my dear, love is not the only thing in the world! PHILIP. [_Half aside._] I got there too late, she'd hung up. CYNTHIA. Who, Philip? PHILIP. Eh--a lady--eh-- [THOMAS, _flurried, comes in with a card on a salver._ THOMAS. A card for you, sir. Ahem--ahem--Mrs. Phillimore--that was, sir. PHILIP. Eh? THOMAS. She's on the stairs, sir. [_He nods backward, only to find_ VIDA _at his side. He announces her as being the best way of meeting the difficulty._] Mrs. Vida Phillimore!