JOHN. [_Putting his hand over her mouth._] Ah, for God’s sake——! [_The clock in the library is heard to strike._] It’s too late! too late! THEOPHILA. [_Drawing back, looking into his face._] Too late——? [_There is a sharp knocking at the dining-room door._] What’s that? [_The knocking is repeated._] Who is it? JOHN. Mrs. Cloys is here. THEOPHILA. [_Her hand to her brow._] Mrs. Cloys—aunt——! JOHN. Mrs. Cloys, Sir Fletcher, and your brother were with me when your note arrived. They want to see you. THEOPHILA. See me—See me—— JOHN. [_Gripping her wrist._] Pull yourself together, Mrs. Fraser——[_The knocking is again heard._ JOHN _goes to the door_. THEOPHILA. [_In a whisper._] Jack! [_He pauses; she seems dazed._] They—they haven’t heard—a word of—oh, of what I’ve said to you? JOHN. Heard——! N-no. Are you ready? [_He pulls aside the_ portière, _unlocks the door, and opens it_. MRS. CLOYS _enters_; SIR FLETCHER _and_ CLAUDE _appear in the doorway_. MRS. CLOYS. You have tried my patience long enough, Mr. Allingham. [_She goes to_ THEOPHILA; JOHN _walks away, and stands with his back to those in the room._] Come! you have had ample time for your _business interview_. [_Staring at_ THEOPHILA.] What’s wrong with you? THEOPHILA. [_Sinking into a chair._] N-nothing. MRS. CLOYS. Where’s your cape—and your bonnet? [THEOPHILA _looks round vacantly_. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Cape? cape? Here’s a cape. [_He hands the cape to_ MRS. CLOYS; _she snatches it from him, and puts it round_ THEOPHILA’S _shoulders_. CLAUDE _picks up the bonnet, and brings it to_ MRS. CLOYS, _then goes to the upper door, and stands there waiting_. MRS. CLOYS. [_Raising_ THEOPHILA.] You are not well; you are ill. Fletcher——! [SIR FLETCHER _goes up to the steps leading to the library_.] Where are you going? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. My hat——[_He pushes the_ portière _aside, then draws back_.] Mrs. Allingham——! [_Hesitatingly._] Er—I believe I have left my hat here, Mrs. Allingham. May I——? [_He enters the library._ THEOPHILA. Mrs. Allingham! Mrs.—Allingham——! MRS. CLOYS. Yes, yes. [SIR FLETCHER _comes out of the library, carrying his hat_. THEOPHILA. [_To_ MRS. CLOYS.] Mrs. Allingham! his ... wife! MRS. CLOYS.