CYNTHIA. And drinking--a pair of drinks? [_Her eyes lighting on_ JOHN'S _gloves on the table at her elbow._] Do they fit you, dear? [VIDA _smiles;_ CYNTHIA _picks up the crop and looks at it and reads her own name._] "Jack, from Cynthia." VIDA. [_Without taking the trouble to double for a mere woman._] Yes, dear; it's Mr. Karslake's crop, but I'm happy to say he left me a few minutes ago. CYNTHIA. He left the house? [VIDA _smiles._] I wanted to see him. VIDA. [_With a shade of insolence._] To quarrel? CYNTHIA. [_Frank and curt._] I wanted to see him. VIDA. [_Determined to put_ CYNTHIA _in the wrong._] And I sent him away because I didn't want you to repeat the scene of last night in my house. CYNTHIA. [_Looks at crop and is silent._] Well, I can't stay. I'm to be married at three, and I had to play truant to get here! [BENSON _comes in._ BENSON. [_To_ VIDA.] There's a person, ma'am, on the sidewalk. VIDA. What person, Benson? BENSON. A person, ma'am, with a horse. CYNTHIA. [_Happily agitated._] It's Fiddler with Cynthia K! [_She walks rapidly to the window and looks out._ VIDA. [_To_ BENSON.] Tell the man I'll be down in five minutes. CYNTHIA. [_Looking down from the balcony with delight._] Oh, there she is! VIDA. [_Aside to_ BENSON.] Go to the club-room, Benson, and say to the two gentlemen I can't see them at present--I'll send for them when-- BENSON. [_Listening._] I hear some one coming. VIDA. Quick! [BENSON _leaves the door which opens and_ JOHN _comes in slowly, carelessly._ VIDA _whispers to_ BENSON. BENSON. [_Moving close to_ JOHN _and whispering._] Beg par-- VIDA. [_Under her breath._] Go back! JOHN. [_Not understanding._] I beg pardon! VIDA. [_Scarcely above a whisper._] Go back! JOHN. [_Dense._] Can't! I've a date! With the sheriff! VIDA. [_A little cross._] Please use your eyes. JOHN. [_Laughing and flattering_ VIDA.] I am using my eyes. VIDA. [_Fretted._] Don't you see there's a lovely creature in the room? JOHN. [_Not knowing what it is all about, but taking a wicked delight in seeing her customary calm ruffled._] Of course there is. VIDA. Hush! JOHN. [_Teasingly._] But what I want to know is-- VIDA. Hush! JOHN. [_Enjoying his fun._] --is when we're to stroll in the Garden of Eden-- VIDA. Hush! JOHN. --and lose the key. [_To put a stop to this, she lightly tosses her handkerchief into his face._] By George, talk about attar of roses! CYNTHIA. [_At window, excited and moved at seeing her mare once more._] Oh, she's a darling! [_Turning._] A perfect darling! [JOHN _starts up; he sees_ CYNTHIA _at the same instant that she sees him._] Oh! I didn't know you were here. [_After a pause, with "take-it-or-leave-it" frankness._] I came to see _you_! [JOHN _looks extremely dark and angry;_ VIDA _rises._