VIDA. Oh, Matthew had a fast horse and Cynthia a slow one--or she's a woman and changed her mind! Perhaps she's gone back and married Phillimore. And besides, dear, Matthew wasn't in the house four minutes and a half; only just long enough to hoop the hoop. [_She twirls her new wedding ring gently about her finger._] Wasn't it lucky he had a ring in his pocket? SIR WILFRID. Rather. VIDA. And are you aware, dear, that Phillimore bought and intended it for Cynthia? Do come [_Going toward the door through which she has just entered._], I'm desperately hungry! Whenever I'm married that's the effect it has! [VIDA _goes out and_ SIR WILFRID, _following, stops to talk to_ NOGAM. SIR WILFRID. We'll give Mr. Karslake ten minutes, Nogam. If he does not come then, you might serve supper. [_He joins_ VIDA. NOGAM. [_To_ SIR WILFRID.] Yes, sir. [_The outside door opens and_ FIDDLER _walks in._ FIDDLER. [_Easy and business-like._] Hello, Nogam, where's the guv'nor? That mare's off her oats, and I've got to see him. NOGAM. He'll soon be here. FIDDLER. Who was the parson I met leaving the house? NOGAM. [_Whispering._] Sir Wilfrid and Mrs. Phillimore have a date with the guv'nor in the dining-room, and the reverend gentleman-- [_He makes a gesture as of giving an ecclesiastical blessing._ FIDDLER. [_Amazed._] He hasn't spliced them? [NOGAM _assents._] He has? They're married? Never saw a parson could resist it! NOGAM. Yes, but I've got another piece of news for you. Who do you think the Rev. Phillimore expected to find _here_? FIDDLER. [_Proud of having the knowledge._] Mrs. Karslake? I saw her headed this way in a hansom with a balky horse only a minute ago. If she hoped to be in at the finish-- [Fiddler _is about to set the chair on its legs._ NOGAM. [_Quickly._] Mr. Fiddler, sir, please to let it alone. FIDDLER. [_Putting the chair down in surprise._] Does it live on its blooming head? NOGAM. Don't you remember? _She_ threw it on its head when she left here, and he won't have it up. Ah, that's it--hat, sewing-basket and all,--the whole rig is to remain as it was when she handed him his knock-out. [_A bell rings outside._ FIDDLER. There's the guv'nor--I hear him! NOGAM. I'll serve the supper. [_Taking a letter from his pocket and putting it on the mantel._] Mr. Fiddler, would you mind giving this to the guv'nor? It's from his lawyer--his lawyer couldn't find him and left it with me. He said it was very important. [_The bell rings again. Speaking from the door to_ SIR WILFRID.] I'm coming, sir! NOGAM _goes out, shutting the door._ JOHN KARSLAKE _comes in. His hat is pushed over his eyes; his hands are buried in his pockets, and his appearance generally is one of weariness and utter discouragement. He walks into the room slowly and heavily. He sees_ FIDDLER, _who salutes, forgetting the letter._ JOHN _slowly sinks into the arm-chair near his study table._