I forgive you. It is the first time, but I really can't count it against you. CAPT. EPPINGWELL _(Looking closely into her face.)_ What's wrong? MRS. EPPINGWELL Archie, you're the dearest man I know. Of course there is something wrong, and of course you knew it as soon as you set eyes on me. Well, I am beaten. CAPT. EPPINGWELL The Ever-Victorious-One beaten! Impossible! I'll not believe it. MRS. EPPINGWELL I am, just the same. Here I have been trying to save Floyd Vanderlip, counteracting that evil woman's influence, having him to tea and dinner and giving him no end of my time, and Flossie isn't here yet, and he runs away with Freda Mo-loof to-night. It's all arranged, and everything. CAPT. EPPINGWELL But--but--wait a minute. Enlighten me. I am only a poor traveller. Who is this Flossie? And why shouldn't this Vanderlip-man--whoever he is--run away if he wants to? MRS. EPPINGWELL How ridiculous of me! I forget you've been away. You know who Freda Moloof is? CAPT. EPPINGWELL Surely, surely. She has the most magnificent furs and the most magnificent dogs in all Alaska. A fascinating creature, I--er--understand. She plays with men as a child plays with bubbles. MRS. EPPINGWELL It seems to me I've heard that before. CAPT. EPPINGWELL It has become a saying in the country. MRS. EPPINGWELL I have heard of men who whistle women up as they would whistle dogs. She must be the type of woman that whistles men. CAPT. EPPINGWELL _(Warmly.)_ All she has to do is look at a man. MRS. EPPINGWELL _(Smiling.)_ You speak as though she had looked at you. CAPT. EPPINGWELL _(Smiling.)_ A very interesting woman. MRS. EPPINGWELL Well, anyway, she has cast eyes and wiles upon Floyd Vanderlip. CAPT. EPPINGWELL But why shouldn't she? This is a free country. MRS. EPPINGWELL Wait a minute. I'm trying to explain. Floyd Vanderlip is engaged to marry some one else. CAPT. EPPINGWELL O-o-h! MRS. EPPINGWELL Floyd Vanderlip is a big, strong man. For five years he chased Eldorados over the ice-fields, living on moose and salmon and working like a beast. He never had an idle moment in which to be wicked. Then he struck it on Klondike and is worth millions and millions. Also, he sat down for the first time in five years and rested. He remembered a girl who was waiting for him down in the States--a young thing--and sent for her to come in. They were to be married as soon as she arrived. He has a cabin all ready. Well, that's Flossie. She is coming in over the ice now--he's told me all about it--and ought to be here any day. I've been looking for her, and looking for her, till I am almost sick. Then this Freda Moloof cast her spell upon him. I heard the gossip-- CAPT. EPPINGWELL And proceeded to take a hand. I begin to understand. MRS. EPPINGWELL