SIR RANDLE. Good-bye? OTTOLINE. Yes; he's going away--abroad--for some months. [_With a motion of her head towards the hall._] He's in the hall. May I----? LADY FILSON. [_Rising._] Er--do. SIR RANDLE. Do. OTTOLINE. [_Returning to the door and calling._] Sir Timothy----! [_There is a brief pause, during which_ SIR RANDLE _and_ LADY FILSON _interrogate each other silently, and then_ SIR TIMOTHY BARRADELL _enters. He is a well-knit, pleasant-looking Irishman of about forty, speaking with a slight brogue._ LADY FILSON. [_Advancing to greet him._] My dear Sir Timothy! SIR TIMOTHY. [_As they shake hands._] And how's my lady this morning? Are you well? OTTOLINE. [_At the door._] I'll leave you---- SIR TIMOTHY. [_Turning to her hastily._] Ah--! [_Taking her hand._] I'm not to see you again? OTTOLINE. [_Shaking her head._] No. [_Smiling._] We've said good-bye upstairs. [_Withdrawing her hand._] _Que Dieu vous protege!_ Good luck to you! SIR TIMOTHY. [_Ruefully._] Luck! [_In an undertone._] I've never had anything else till now; and now it's out entirely. OTTOLINE. [_Gently._] Shsssh----! [_She goes into the hall and he stands watching her till she disappears. Then he closes the door and faces_ LADY FILSON _and_ SIR RANDLE. SIR TIMOTHY. [_Mournfully but good-humouredly._] Ha! _That's_ over. LADY FILSON. Over? SIR RANDLE. Over? SIR TIMOTHY. Over. [_Passing_ LADY FILSON _and shaking hands with_ SIR RANDLE.] It might be that it 'ud be more decent and appropriate for me to write you a letter, Sir Randle; but I'm not much of a hand at letter-writing, and I've your daughter's permission to tell you by word of mouth that--that she--[_to_ LADY FILSON] but perhaps you can guess, both of you----? LADY FILSON. Guess----? SIR RANDLE. Guess----? SIR TIMOTHY. [_Rumpling his hair._] The fact is, it isn't exactly easy or agreeable to describe what's occurred in plain terms. SIR RANDLE. [_Encouragingly._] Can't you--can't you give us a hint----? LADY FILSON. The merest hint---- SIR TIMOTHY. Hint, is it! Ah, I can manage that. [_With a bold effort._] You're not to have me for your son-in-law. Is that hint enough? LADY FILSON.