Nowadays I detest coming across my name in print. But my people--[_with a little_ moue] they will persist in----! PHILIP. Beating the big drum? OTTOLINE. Ha! [_Brushing her hair from her brow fretfully._] Oh! Oh, Phil, it was blindness on my part to return to them--sheer blindness! PHILIP. Blindness? OTTOLINE. They've been urging me to do it ever since my husband's death; so I had ample time to consider the step. But I didn't realize, till I'd settled down in Ennismore Gardens, how thoroughly I---- PHILIP. [_Finding she doesn't continue._] How thoroughly----? OTTOLINE. How thoroughly I've grown away from them--ceased to be one of them. [_Stamping her foot._] Oh, I know I'm ungrateful; and that they're proud of me, and pet and spoil me; [_contracting her shoulder-blades_] but they make my flesh feel quite raw--mother, Dad, and my brother Bertram! Their intense satisfaction with themselves, and everything appertaining to them, irritates me to such a pitch that I'm often obliged to rush out of the room to stop myself from being rude. [_Impetuously._] And then to have to watch Dad and mother still pushing, scheming, intriguing; always with the affectation of despising _reclame_, yet doing nothing--not the most simple act--without a careful eye to it! Years ago, as I've said, there was an intelligible motive for our paltry ambitions; but now, when they have _force les portes_ and can afford to be sincere and independent----! [_Checking herself._] But I oughtn't to speak of my folks like this, ought I, even to you whom I can trust! [_Penitently._] It's awfully wrong of me. I--I beg your pardon. PHILIP. [_After a short silence._] What do you intend to do, then, Otto, ultimately--re-establish yourself in Paris? OTTOLINE. [_Drearily._] Paris! Is Paris so full of cheerful memories for me, do you suppose, that I should cling to it! PHILIP. [_Soothingly._] Oh, come----! OTTOLINE. I travelled about for some months after I became a widow, and when I saw Paris again--! [_Starting up as if to rid herself of disagreeable sensations._] No, my one great desire is to escape from it all, Phil--[_moving to the chair on the left_] to escape----! PHILIP. [_Rising._] Escape? OTTOLINE. To alter the whole current of my life, if it's possible, [_sinking into the chair_] and to breathe some fresh air! [_Fanning herself with her hand._] Phew-w-w-w! PHILIP. H'm! [_Approaching her and looking down upon her._] According to report, Ottoline, you'd have very little difficulty in--escaping. OTTOLINE. [_Glancing up at him._] Report?