Sssh! [MRS. EMPTAGE _sits again_. FRASER _goes to the window and stands there, apart, his back turned to those in the room_.] What I have to say concerns the future Of Theophila——[_There is a movement on the part of_ JOHN _and_ OLIVE.] Please, let nobody go. All who are here are interested in the future of Mrs. Fraser—[_looking at_ OLIVE]—and I believe sympathetically interested. [_Sitting._] In fact, I want it to be known that a very happy arrangement has been arrived at. MRS. EMPTAGE. [_To_ SIR FLETCHER.] Fletcher, you said _no_ arrangement had been arrived at. SIR FLETCHER. I have not been consulted, Harriet. MRS. CLOYS. I did not consider it necessary, Fletcher. There was a question whether the plan I had in view _could_ be carried out. SIR FLETCHER. Then you—you have constituted yourself a—a sort of—arbitrator—— MRS. CLOYS. As you say, a sort of arbitratrix, I suppose. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. The cloak of pedantry, Harriet, scarcely conceals your want of respect for your brother. [_Passing_ MRS. CLOYS, _as if about to quit the room_. MRS. CLOYS. [_Touching his arm._] We’ll all keep our tempers, Fletcher. [_He remains._] Yes, the thought came to me during the night—a long, anxious night—— MRS. EMPTAGE. Ah, indeed! MRS. CLOYS. The thought that I would telegraph to the bishop the very first thing this morning. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. The bishop! MRS. CLOYS. Asking, him to come to me at once. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Will he do so? MRS. CLOYS. The bishop is goodness and compliance personified. He left St. Olpherts at ten o’clock this morning; he is here. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. Here! MRS. EMPTAGE. I shall be ashamed to meet him; after my sleepless night my face is so dreadfully lined——! MRS. CLOYS. The bishop does not notice the lines in women’s faces. Directly he arrived, I submitted my scheme; in two words, he approved; it will be carried into execution. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I do not ask _what_ scheme. MRS. CLOYS. Theophila returns to St. Olpherts at once with us. She will rest there two or three days, by which time I shall have found a suitable house in town—— MRS. EMPTAGE. In town——? MRS. CLOYS. The bishop and I have not had a house in town for some years. Mr. Fraser kindly sees house agents this afternoon. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. I would willingly have seen house agents, Harriet. A furnished house——?