MRS. PHILLIMORE. [_Feebly, confused._] I don't wish to intrude, but really I cannot imagine Philip marrying at midnight. [_As_ SUDLEY _reads_, MISS HENEAGE _opens the second telegram, but does not read it._ SUDLEY. [_Reading._] "Accident, auto struck"--something! "Gasoline"--did something--illegible, ah! [_Reads._] "Home by nine forty-five! Hold the church!" [_A general movement sets in._ MISS HENEAGE. [_Profoundly shocked._] "Hold the church!" William, she still means to marry Philip! and to-night, too! SUDLEY. It's from Belmont Park. GRACE. [_Making a great discovery._] She went to the races! MISS HENEAGE. This is from Philip! [_Reading the second telegram._] "I arrive at ten o'clock. Have dinner ready." [MISS HENEAGE _motions to_ Thomas, _who, obeying, retires. Looking at her watch._] They are both due now. [_Movement._] What's to be done? [_She rises and_ SUDLEY _shrugs his shoulders._ SUDLEY. [_Rising._] After a young woman has spent her wedding day at the races? Why, I consider that she has broken the engagement,--and when she comes, tell her so. MISS HENEAGE. I'll telephone Matthew. The choir boys can go home--her maid can pack her belongings--and when the lady arrives-- _Impudently, the very distant toot of an auto-horn breaks in upon her words, producing, in proportion to its growing nearness, an increasing pitch of excitement and indignation._ GRACE _flies to the door and looks out._ MRS. PHILLIMORE, _helpless, does not know what to do or where to go or what to say._ SUDLEY _moves about excitedly._ MISS HENEAGE _stands ready to make herself disagreeable._ GRACE. [_Speaking rapidly and with excitement._] I hear a man's voice. Cates-Darby and brother Matthew. _A loud and brazenly insistent toot outrages afresh. Laughter and voices outside are heard faintly._ GRACE _looks out of the door, and, as quickly withdraws._ MISS HENEAGE. Outrageous! SUDLEY. Disgraceful! MRS. PHILLIMORE. Shocking! [_Partly rising as the voices and horn are heard._] I shall not take any part at all, in the--eh-- [_She fades away._ MISS HENEAGE. [_Interrupting her._] Don't trouble yourself.