Favour. A poor, tawdry little thing I’ve always been; but I’ve been proud—yes, very proud—like every woman who is square and honest. But now——! No, if I could pull myself up again, I’d do it, for mother’s sake and ’Tina’s; but never, never, never, after last night, could I accept a favour from my husband! FRASER. I hear from your aunt that Mrs. Allingham—this man Allingham’s wife!—generously offers to take you under her wing. Is it so? THEOPHILA. [_Leaning back, her eyes closed._] Aunt brought me a message to that effect from Mrs. Allingham this morning. FRASER. What answer did you send? THEOPHILA. None; I am going to see Mrs. Allingham. FRASER. I think I understand. THEOPHILA. Understand? FRASER. This lady’s proposal is, after all, one worth considering. It would be a double triumph for you to ride back into the shabby little circle you regard as “society” in her coach. It would be a triumph over _me_ in the first place—over _me_! THEOPHILA. [_Opening her eyes and speaking calmly in a subdued voice._] Alec [_glancing over her shoulder_], is aunt out there? [_He goes to the window and looks out._ FRASER. Yes. THEOPHILA. Call her, please. [_He disappears. She rises feebly, and, with an effort, pushes away the chair_ FRASER _has placed at the head of the settee; then she sinks into it_. MRS. CLOYS _enters at the window with_ FRASER, _and comes to_ THEOPHILA. MRS. CLOYS. My dear——? THEOPHILA. Will you ask Mrs. Allingham to be good enough to come to me? MRS. CLOYS. You are equal to seeing her? THEOPHILA. Yes—at once. MRS. CLOYS. Why are you sitting here? THEOPHILA. [_Irritably._] Oh, I am not going to appear quite a wreck before Mrs. Allingham. Find her, aunt. [MRS. CLOYS _goes out._ FRASER _brings a foot-stool to_ THEOPHILA _and places it under her feet. She nods in acknowledgment._ FRASER. [_Sarcastically._] You must not forget to thank Mrs. Allingham for taking her place by your bedside all last night. THEOPHILA. [_Indignantly._] Ah, it was shameful of aunt to have allowed that! She hid herself behind the curtains and peeped at me. She saw how ugly I was! I’ll never forgive aunt for permitting it! Oh——! FRASER. [_Glancing at the door._] Sssh——!