MATTHEW. [_Always piously serene._] Ah, my dear child! Now this is just as it should be! That is, eh-- [_He walks to the centre of the room with her_, VIDA, _the while, pointedly disregarding_ SIR WILFRID.] That is, when I come to think of it--your presence might be deemed inauspicious. VIDA. But, my dear Matthew,--I had to come. [_Aside to him._] I have a reason for being here. [THOMAS, _who has left the room, again appears._ MATTHEW. [_With a helpless gesture._] But, my dear child-- THOMAS. [_With sympathetic intention._] Sir, Mr. Phillimore wishes to have your assistance, sir--with Miss Heneage _immediately_! MATTHEW. Ah! [_To_ VIDA.] One moment! I'll return. [_To_ THOMAS.] Have you found the bag with my surplice? _He goes out with_ THOMAS, _speaking._ SIR WILFRID _moves at once to_ VIDA. JOHN, _moving to a better position, watches the door._ SIR WILFRID. [_To_ VIDA.] You're just the person I most want to see! VIDA. [_With affected iciness._] Oh, no, Sir Wilfrid, Cynthia isn't here yet! [_She moves to the table, and_ JOHN, _his eyes on the door, coming toward her, she speaks to him with obvious sweetness._] Jack, dear, I never was so ravished to see any one. SIR WILFRID. [_Taken aback._] By Jove! VIDA. [_Very sweet._] I knew I should find you here! JOHN. [_Annoyed but civil._] Now don't do that! VIDA. [_Sweeter than ever._] Jack! [_They sit down._ JOHN. [_Civil but plain spoken._] Don't do it! VIDA. [_In a voice dripping with honey._] Do what, Jack? JOHN. Touch me with your voice! I have troubles enough of my own. [_He sits not far from her; the table between them._ VIDA. And I know who your troubles are! Cynthia! [_From this moment_ VIDA _abandons_ JOHN _as an object of the chase and works him into her other game._ JOHN. I hate her. I don't know why I came. VIDA. You came, dear, because you couldn't stay away--you're in love with her. JOHN. All right, Vida, what I feel may be _love_--but all I can say is, if I could get even with Cynthia Karslake-- VIDA. You can, dear--it's as easy as powdering one's face; all you have to do is to be too nice to me! JOHN. [_Looking at her inquiringly._] Eh! VIDA. Don't you realize she's jealous of you? Why did she come to my house this morning? She's jealous--and all you have to do-- JOHN. If I can make her wince, I'll make love to you till the Heavenly cows come home! VIDA. Well, you see, my dear, if you make love to me it will [_Delicately indicating_ SIR WILFRID.] cut both ways at once! JOHN. Eh,--what! Not Cates-Darby? [_Starting._] Is that Cynthia? VIDA. Now don't get rattled and forget to make love to me. JOHN. I've got the jumps. [_Trying to follow her instructions._] Vida, I adore you. VIDA. Oh, you must be more convincing; that won't do at all. JOHN. [_Listening._] Is that she now? [MATTHEW _comes in and passes to the inner room._