MRS. CLOYS. [_Assenting._] For the season—sufficiently large for the dear bishop, myself, and Theophila. Both in London and at St. Olpherts, Theophila will be my close companion. In our little London gaieties she will figure prominently. At certain formal gatherings she will share the responsibilities of the hostess. If any paragraph concerning our doings should creep into the newspaper, it will concern the Bishop of St. Olpherts, Mrs. Cloys, _and_ Mrs. Fraser of Locheen. Oh, I don’t think there will be many to wag evil tongues against Mrs. Fraser a few months hence! [OLIVE _rises, and advances to_ MRS. CLOYS, _who stands as she approaches_. OLIVE. [_In a low voice, to_ MRS. CLOYS.] I’m glad; I’m very glad. MRS. CLOYS. That’s right. OLIVE. [_Falteringly._] But your—your scheme owes—just a little to my idea, doesn’t it? MRS. CLOYS. I admit it. Mrs. Allingham, I am sure you don’t grudge—— OLIVE. No, no; indeed I don’t. I—I hope you will succeed—to the utmost—— [_She turns away, and goes out by the dining-room door._ MRS. EMPTAGE. [_Rising, fretfully._] It seems to me everything is taken out of one’s hands—— SIR FLETCHER. In a most unceremonious way—— MRS. EMPTAGE. [_Glancing at_ FRASER, _who is now out in the garden_.] What about Alec—Mr. Fraser——? SIR FLETCHER. Of course, any policy that doesn’t tend to bring my niece and her husband together—— MRS. CLOYS. Ah, I haven’t told you. Mr. Fraser is to be a frequent—a fairly frequent visitor in London, and at St. Olpherts. SIR FLETCHER. [_With a sniff._] Visitor—— MRS. CLOYS. And it is further arranged that, in a year’s time, Mr. Fraser comes to us and formally asks Theophila to return to Lennox Gardens. MRS. EMPTAGE. And when he does——? MRS. CLOYS. Then we shall see what we shall see. SIR FLETCHER. [_Walking away._] I can’t quite explain my feeling—but I am not sanguine—not at all sanguine. MRS. EMPTAGE. At any rate, in less than twelve months, if I know my girl, she will have grown heartily sick of her solemn surroundings. MRS. CLOYS. [_Indignantly._] How dare you——! how——! [_Checking herself._] Well, suppose she _does_ weary of me, good will result even from _that_ if it sends her back to her husband.