_She places the roses here and there, as if to see their effect, and leaves them on a small table near the door through which her visitors entered._ SIR WILFRID. Admiration. VIDA. [_Sauntering slowly toward the mirror as she speaks._] Oh, I saw that you admired her! And of course, she did say she was coming here at eleven! But that was only bravado! She won't come, and besides, I've given orders to admit no one! SIR WILFRID. [_Attempting to dam the stream of her talk which flows gently but steadily on._] May I ask you-- VIDA. And, indeed, if she came now, Mr. Karslake has gone, and her sole object in coming was to make him uncomfortable. [_She moves toward the table, stopping a half minute at the mirror to see that she looks as she wishes to look._] Very dangerous symptom, too, that passionate desire to make one's former husband unhappy! But, I can't believe that your admiration for Cynthia Karslake is so warm that it led you to pay me this visit a half hour too early in the hope of seeing-- SIR WILFRID. [_Rising; most civil, but speaking his mind like a Briton._] I say, would you mind stopping a moment! [_She smiles._] I'm not an American, you know; I was brought up not to interrupt. But you Americans, it's different with you! If somebody didn't interrupt you, you'd go on forever. VIDA. [_Passing him to tantalize._] My point is you come to see Cynthia-- SIR WILFRID. [_Believing she means it._] I came hopin' to see-- VIDA. [_Provokingly._] Cynthia! SIR WILFRID. [_Perfectly single-minded and entirely taken in._] But I would have come even if I'd known-- VIDA. [_Evading him, while he follows._] I don't believe it! SIR WILFRID. [_Protesting whole-heartedly._] Give you my word I-- VIDA. [_Leading him on._] You're here to see _her_! And of course-- SIR WILFRID. [_Determined to be heard because, after all, he's a man._] May I have the--eh--the floor? [VIDA _sits down in a chair._] I was jolly well bowled over with Mrs. Karslake, I admit that, and I hoped to see her here, but-- VIDA. [_Talking nonsense and knowing it._] You had another object in coming. In fact, you came to see Cynthia, and you came to see me! What I really long to know is, why you wanted to see _me_! For, of course, Cynthia's to be married at three! And, if she wasn't she wouldn't have you! SIR WILFRID. [_Not intending to wound; merely speaking the flat truth._] Well, I mean to jolly well ask her. VIDA. [_Indignant._] To be your wife? SIR WILFRID. Why not? VIDA. [_Still indignant._] And you came here, to my house--in order to ask her-- SIR WILFRID. [_Truthful even on a subtle point._] Oh, but that's only my first reason for coming, you know. VIDA. [_Concealing her hopes._] Well, now I _am_ curious--what is the second? SIR WILFRID. [_Simply._] Are you feelin' pretty robust? VIDA. I don't know! SIR WILFRID. [_Crosses to the buffet._] Will you have something, and then I'll tell you! VIDA. [_Gaily._] Can't I support the news without--