MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [_Finishing with the flowers._] Go away! JUSTINA. Thanks—they’re jolly. [_Picking up a little mirror from the table, and making a wry face at herself._] I haven’t had a night’s sound sleep for weeks. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. I should think not, with such thoughts in your head. Poor Theo! I’ve been fretting about her too, in a different way. JUSTINA. [_Adjusting the flowers with the aid of the mirror._] Yes, but it isn’t only Theo. I’ve been doing a bit of lying-awake on my own account, I can tell you. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Why? JUSTINA. [_Moistening her eyelashes as she again surveys her face._] Why, if this business had gone against my sister, it wouldn’t have bettered _my_ chances—eh? MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. No, perhaps it wouldn’t. JUSTINA. I’m twenty—oh, you know—— MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Nine. JUSTINA. Ugh, dash it, yes! And this beastly scrape of Theophila’s has been no end of a shocker for me. From to-day I turn over the proverbial new leaf. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. So glad, dear. JUSTINA. Just fancy! I’m the only single one out of we three musketeers. Great Scot, Kate, suppose I got left! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [_With a laugh._] ’Tina! JUSTINA. But I won’t, you mark me! From to-day I’ll alter—I take my oath I will! No more slang for me, no more swears, no more smokes with the men after dinner, no more cycling at the club in knickers! I’ve been giving too much away——! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. [_Listening._] Take care! JUSTINA. [_Glancing round._] Claude—back. CLAUDE EMPTAGE, _a plain, stumpy, altogether insignificant young man enters—a young man with a pale face, red eyelids and nostrils, a dense look, and heavy, depressed manner_. JUSTINA. What news? Any? CLAUDE. It’s finished. MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Finished! JUSTINA. Don’t tell me! How? CLAUDE. It’s all right for Theo. Mrs. Allingham’s petition dismissed. JUSTINA. Ho, ho! Ha, ha, ha! All right for Theo! [_Clapping her hands, almost dancing._ MRS. TWELVES _embraces her_.] All right for Theo! MRS. QUINTON TWELVES. Isn’t it splendid? JUSTINA. Ha, ha, ha! All right for——! Mother! ma! ma! [_She runs out._ MRS. QUINTON TWELVES.