[_He walks away as_ OLIVE _enters, followed by_ MRS. CLOYS. OLIVE _is dressed as in the previous Act. Upon encountering_ FRASER _she slightly inclines her head to him, with eyes averted; he bows stiffly. She then comes and stands before_ THEOPHILA. OLIVE. [_To_ THEOPHILA.] I—I hope you are better, Mrs. Fraser. THEOPHILA. Thank you, yes. [_Turning her head._] Don’t go yet, aunt—nor you, Alec. [_To_ OLIVE.] Mrs. Allingham, my husband comes to me to-day asking me to go back home with him, in order that, after all, we may commence together to fight the “shabby little circle” to which I have, I dare say, attached a great deal too much importance. Well, I’ve declined to go back—declined. But Mr. Fraser has an idea that I’m treating him spitefully because I’ve found a powerful friend in you. OLIVE. Mrs. Fraser, I—I do beg of you not to act hastily, and without good advice. Of course, you are angry, justifiably angry—— THEOPHILA. Ah——! OLIVE. But pray take time to reflect. Oh, I entreat you to try—in a little while, when you feel less bitter—to try to see your way clear to—to—— THEOPHILA. To do what? OLIVE. To accept both Mr. Fraser’s help—and mine. [THEOPHILA _partly rises, as if about to make some indignant response, but restrains herself_. THEOPHILA. I—I can only make the same reply to you, Mrs. Allingham, as I have just made to my husband—thank you, no. OLIVE. You cannot right yourself in the eyes of people without Mr. Fraser’s assistance or mine. And especially mine! You couldn’t accomplish it thoroughly with _his_ help alone; it would be impossible. THEOPHILA. Very well then, it’s impossible. OLIVE. [_To_ FRASER.] Mr. Fraser——[FRASER _advances a few steps_.] Perhaps, by-and-bye, you will add your persuasions to mine that your wife will accept me as your ally? FRASER. [_Stiffly._] Mrs. Allingham, I regret that what you suggest is, so far as I am concerned, quite out of the question. OLIVE. Mrs. Cloys—[FRASER _retires as_ MRS. CLOYS _approaches_]—I am sure _you_ can understand the value of the services I am able to render your niece. MRS. CLOYS. Oh, perfectly. OLIVE. Then you will try to induce her——? MRS. CLOYS. Ah! you must excuse me, Mrs. Allingham—— OLIVE. You will not? MRS. CLOYS.