LADY FILSON. [_To_ BERTRAM.] Sir Timothy is going abroad, Bertram. BERTRAM. Really? [_To_ SIR TIMOTHY.] Er--on business? SIR TIMOTHY. Well, not precisely on pleasure. [_Shaking hands with_ BERTRAM.] Good-bye to you. BERTRAM. [_Puzzled._] Good-bye. [SIR TIMOTHY _makes a final bow to_ LADY FILSON _and departs, followed by_ SIR RANDLE, _who leaves the door open._ BERTRAM _turns to_ LADY FILSON _inquiringly._] What----? LADY FILSON. [_Pointing to the open door._] H'sh! [BERTRAM _shuts the door and_ LADY FILSON _seats herself upon the settee on the right._ BERTRAM. [_Coming to her._] What has happened, mother? LADY FILSON. What I conjectured. I was certain of it. BERTRAM. He _has_ proposed to my sister? LADY FILSON. Yes. BERTRAM. [_Struck by his mother's manner._] She has refused him? LADY FILSON. [_Nodding._] She's _eprise_ with another man. BERTRAM. Who is it? LADY FILSON. She didn't---- BERTRAM. Is it Trefusis? LADY FILSON. _I_ believe it's Delacour. BERTRAM. [_Walking about._] Possibly! Possibly! LADY FILSON. [_Anxiously._] I do hope she realizes what she's doing, Bertram. Sir Timothy could buy them both up, with something to spare. BERTRAM. I agree, my dear mother; but it would have been horribly offensive to _us_, I mean t'say, to see the name of Ottoline's husband branded upon sides of bacon in the windows of the provision-shops. LADY FILSON. Oh, disgusting! [_Brightening._] How sensibly you look at things, darling! BERTRAM. [_Taking up a position before the fireplace._] Whereas George Delacour and Edward Trefusis are undeniably gentlemen--gentlemen by birth and breeding, I mean t'say. LADY FILSON. Trefusis is connected, through his brother, with the Northcrofts! BERTRAM. Quite so. If Ottoline married Edward, she would be Lady Juliet's sister-in-law. LADY FILSON. Upon my word, Bertie, I don't know _which_ of the two I'd rather it turned out to be! [SIR RANDLE _returns, with a solemn countenance. He closes the door and comes forward._ SIR RANDLE. [_To_ LADY FILSON.] A melancholy morning, Winnie. LADY FILSON. [_Sighing._] Ahhh! SIR RANDLE.