[_He turns and advances to her slowly, looking at her fixedly and earnestly._ PHILIP. Ottoline--I wonder whether you'd care to walk under those trees with me again, for sentiment's sake, some fine day in the future----! OTTOLINE. [_Staring at him._] C-care----? PHILIP. And if you would, whether I ought to tempt you to risk it! OTTOLINE. [_Rising, smiling but discomposed._] To--to risk finding that _le lait n'est pas cremeux_, do you mean? PHILIP. [_Tenderly._] To risk even that. [_Drawing nearer to her._] Otto----! OTTOLINE. I--I should be delighted--if--if ever---- PHILIP. No, no; not as friends, Otto--save in the best sense---- OTTOLINE. [_Faintly._] I--I don't---- PHILIP. As husband and wife. [_She stands quite still._] Husband and wife! Some day when I've achieved a solid success; when I've captured the great public, and can come to you, not as a poor, struggling writer, but holding my prizes in both hands! OTTOLINE. [_Putting her hand to her forehead._] It--it's not too late, is it? PHILIP. [_Recoiling._] Too late--for me--to be successful? OTTOLINE. [_Passionately._] Oh, my God, don't say that to me--[_going to him, and clinging to him_] too late for me to recover a little of what I've lost! PHILIP. [_Pressing her to him._] Ah! Too late for neither of us. It's a bargain? OTTOLINE. Yes--yes; but---- PHILIP. But----? OTTOLINE. [_Her head drooping._] Must it be--_some_ day? [_Piteously._] _Some_ day! PHILIP. There are signs in the sky; the day isn't far distant! OTTOLINE. I--I've money, Philip---- PHILIP. H'sssh! [_Frowning._] Ottoline! OTTOLINE. _Ah, je vois que votre orgueil est plus fort que votre amour!_ PHILIP. Ha, ha! _Peut-etre; je ne m'en defends pas._ You consent? OTTOLINE. [_Pouting._] I may let my people know of the arrangement, may I not? You'll see them? PHILIP. My dear, what would be gained by that _now_? OTTOLINE. It would enable you to come often to Ennismore Gardens, and have cosy teas with me in my room. We couldn't be--what we _are_--on the sly indefinitely; it's impracticable. There'll be a storm at first, but it will soon blow over. [_Making a wry face._] Still, if you'd rather---- PHILIP.