SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [_Abstractedly._] I am off; I am off. [_Stopping at the door, looking at the table, and slowly tapping his forehead._] Pens—paper; two p.’s. [_He goes out._ FRASER _comes to the dining-room door, and carefully draws the_ portière; _then he walks away as_ MRS. CLOYS _enters by the upper door with_ THEOPHILA _leaning upon her arm_. THEOPHILA _is dressed as in the preceding Acts, but without bonnet or cape_. MRS. CLOYS _places_ THEOPHILA _upon the settee, then goes out at the window, and disappears_. FRASER _takes a chair and sits_. FRASER. You—you are very ill, Theophila? THEOPHILA. [_In a low, level, weary voice, her eyes turned from him._] No; I have just escaped being ill, they say. FRASER. I have been out all night, taking steps to find you; your aunt’s telegram did not reach me till late this morning. I hurried here directly. THEOPHILA. [_Indifferently, her thoughts elsewhere._] Oh? FRASER. I hope they told you so. THEOPHILA. Yes—I think they did. [_Rousing herself slightly._] When did you receive the news that I’d—I’d——? FRASER. That you had——? THEOPHILA. Run away? FRASER. Justina came to Lennox Gardens last night at about half-past six. THEOPHILA. It hadn’t struck you as at all likely——? FRASER. No. THEOPHILA. Men _don’t_ think on some points, I suppose. They hit; they never expect to see a bruise. FRASER. The two days we passed in Court, Theophila, set me quite beside myself. I am here to express my deep, my unfeigned regret for my treatment of you. I—I humbly beg your pardon. THEOPHILA. [_Looking at him for the first time, in an expressionless way._] You know what happened last night? FRASER. [_With assumed indifference._] Mrs. Cloys—told me—[_with a wave of the hand_]—oh, yes. THEOPHILA. I asked her to tell you all. She has told you _all_? FRASER. [_Nodding agitatedly._] For God’s sake, let us never again refer to the subject. Forget my share of yesterday and I will forget yours. [_Moving his chair to the head of the settee, to be nearer to her._] Theophila, everything you planned that we should do to reinstate you shall be done; I am prepared to go in with your schemes, heart and soul; all your suggestions shall be acted upon promptly. THEOPHILA.