_H._ (_with an effort_). Possibly Sir Charles Grand—I mean Mr. Edward Tennant—may have a narrowing influence. (_Aside._) It is no use. I can’t be discreet. Confound Mr. Edward Tennant! _E._ (_innocently_). Perhaps. (_Drinks tea._) And so you are engaged to Mattie Montgomery? _H._ (_formally_). You do me too much honor. _E._ Really! (_More coolly._) That is a pity. I hoped we might proffer mutual congratulations. An exchange of compliments is such a promoter of good feeling. _H._ (_more stiffly_). I see I have been remiss. But I did not understand. _E._ No, it is not yet time—but I have betrayed his confidence inadvertently. To-morrow you must congratulate me. To-morrow I shall tell you that I am engaged. Let me give you another cup. _H._ (_rising_). No, one is enough. Once ought always to be enough! But it seems I am fated to have it twice! I know I am incoherent—but never mind! It’s the tea! _E._ (_playing with her teaspoon a little nervously_). And you have forgiven me? _H._ I do not know that I have. But (_coldly_) whether I have or not is of course only a personal matter. _E._ (_feebly_). Of course. _H._ And so you are to tell me to-morrow that you are engaged? Might I ask you if, in taking this step, you were actuated by a wish to obtain my forgiveness? _E._ (_laughing_). I expected you to ask mine—for being engaged to Mattie Montgomery. _H._ (_sits_). Suppose this afternoon you tell me about the—to be colloquial—the happy man. And I will have some more tea. _E._ (_looking into the sugar-bowl_). Well, to tell the truth this afternoon—he doesn’t happen—to be—colloquially—the happy man. _H._ (_aside; walking about_). So that note was written to-day. I did not see the date. It is not yet five o’clock, and it is not yet too late. I shall gain nothing by getting rattled and making a fool of myself. (_Aloud, coming back and holding out his cup, into which_ ESTHER _drops sugar as they speak_.) Have I then taken his place? _E._ (_gravely_). No. He is (_lump_) conservative (_lump_) in his (_lump_) tastes (_lump_). He takes (_lump_) no sugar (_lump_) at all (_lump_) in his. _H._ (_who has been watching_ ESTHER’S _face, and not her fingers, sets down his cup hastily_). Seven lumps is a little radical. Then you have forgotten all in four years? (_Pacing the floor._) Forgotten what I, Esther, have been fool enough to remember as if it had happened yesterday! Who is it talks about woman’s constancy? _E._ (_aside_). Not I. But I am very much afraid I shall begin to. Has the tea gone to my head too? _H._ (_with much feeling_). The bitterest lesson the four years have taught me, Esther, is that one’s earliest lessons are never unlearned. They have been kinder to you. _E._ (_in a low tone_). Have they? Perhaps. They have taught us both, however, that it is not necessary to unlearn them; one can go on as if one had never studied—old lessons.