MISS HENEAGE _moves; then speaks in a perfectly ordinary natural tone, but her expression is severe._ CYNTHIA _immediately realizes the state of affairs in its fullness._ MISS HENEAGE. [_To_ CYNTHIA.] After what has occurred, Mrs. Karslake-- CYNTHIA. [_Glances quietly toward the table, and then sits down at it, composed and good-tempered._] I see you got my wire--so you know where I have been. MISS HENEAGE. To the race-course! SUDLEY. With a rowdy Englishman. [CYNTHIA _glances at_ SUDLEY, _uncertain whether he means to be disagreeable, or whether he is only naturally so._ MISS HENEAGE. We concluded you desired to break the engagement! CYNTHIA. [_Indifferently._] No! No! Oh! No! MISS HENEAGE. Do you intend, despite of our opinion of you-- CYNTHIA. The only opinion that would have any weight with me would be Mrs. Phillimore's. [_She turns expectantly to_ MRS. PHILLIMORE. MRS. PHILLIMORE. I am generally asleep at this hour, and, accordingly, I will not venture to express any--eh--any--actual opinion. [_She fades away._ CYNTHIA _smiles._ MISS HENEAGE. [_Coldly._] You smile. We simply inform you that as regards _us_, the alliance is not grateful. CYNTHIA. [_Affecting gaiety and unconcern._] And all this because the gasoline gave out. SUDLEY. My patience has given out! GRACE. So has mine. I'm going. [_She makes good her word._ SUDLEY. [_Vexed beyond civility. To_ CYNTHIA.] My dear young lady: You come here, to this sacred--eh--eh--spot--altar!-- [_Gesture._] odoriferous of the paddock!--speaking of Spiffles and Buckeye,--having practically eloped!--having created a scandal, and disgraced our family! CYNTHIA. [_Affecting surprise at this attitude._] How does it disgrace you? Because I like to see a high-bred, clean, nervy, sweet little four-legged gee play the antelope over a hurdle! MISS HENEAGE. Sister, it is high time that you-- [_She turns to_ CYNTHIA _with a gesture._ CYNTHIA. [_With quiet irony._] Mrs. Phillimore is generally asleep at this hour, and accordingly she will not venture to express-- SUDLEY. [_Spluttering with irritation._] Enough, madam--I _venture_ to--to--to--to say, you are leading a fast life. CYNTHIA. [_With powerful intention._] Not in this house! For six heavy weeks have I been laid away in the grave, and I've found it very slow indeed trying to keep pace with the dead! SUDLEY. [_Despairingly._] This comes of horses! CYNTHIA. [_Indignant._] Of what? SUDLEY. C-c-caring for horses! MISS HENEAGE. [_With sublime morality._] What Mrs. Karslake cares for is--men. CYNTHIA. [_Angry and gay._] What would you have me care for? The Ornithorhyncus Paradoxus? or Pithacanthropus Erectus? Oh, I refuse to take you seriously. [SUDLEY _begins to prepare to leave; he buttons himself into respectability and his coat._