Mr. and Mrs. Allingham have arranged their differences. [_Looking from_ THEOPHILA _to_ JOHN.] Why, don’t you know? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [_Coming down the steps._] Haven’t you seen Mrs. Allingham? THEOPHILA. Seen her——? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. This evening—here——? THEOPHILA. Here! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Your interview with Mr. Allingham has taken place in this room? THEOPHILA. In this room? Yes—— MRS. CLOYS. Come—— SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Wait, Harriet, please! Allingham—Mr. Allingham—pardon me for putting such a question: surely you have not allowed—allowed—been a party to——? MRS. CLOYS. Allowed—what? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [_Looking towards the library._] Harriet, you can hear most distinctly, in the library—— MRS. CLOYS. Hear——! SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Overhear—certainly, overhear—— MRS. CLOYS. No, no! [_Going to_ JOHN.] Preposterous! [_After a pause._] Mr. Allingham, why should Mrs. Allingham—be there? [JOHN _is silent_.] What has passed between you and——? Your wife has not been—listening? JOHN. [_Desperately._] Mrs. Fraser—has said—nothing to me that a—a just woman can bring up against her—— MRS. CLOYS. _Listening!_ JOHN. [_Almost inaudibly._] Yes. [_Passionately._] But you don’t know——! [_Calling in a loud voice.]_ Olive! Olive——! [OLIVE _comes out of the library and stands at the top of the steps_. THEOPHILA _regards her for a moment blankly, then goes to the balustrade, and stares up at her. After a brief pause_ THEOPHILA _joins_ MRS. CLOYS, _but seeing_ JOHN, _she comes unsteadily towards him and looks him in the face. Then as she turns away to_ MRS. CLOYS, _she utters a groan, and tumbles to the floor at_ JOHN’S _feet_. END OF THE SECOND ACT. THE THIRD ACT _The Scene is the same as in the previous Act, but a few articles of furniture are differently disposed about the room. There is no fire; and flowers decorate the fireplace. The windows are open and the light is that of a fine afternoon in summer._