[_To her._] My dear----! [_To_ PHILIP.] On the other hand, Mr. Mackworth, as you are probably aware, my daughter is--no, I won't say a rich woman--I will say comfortably provided for; _not_ by the late Comte de Chaumie, but by myself. [_Closing his eyes._] I have never been a niggardly parent, Mr. Mackworth. OTTOLINE. [_Softly, without turning._] Indeed, no, Dad! PHILIP. [_To_ SIR RANDLE, _bluntly._] Yes, I _do_ know of the settlement you made upon Ottoline on her marriage, and of your having supplemented it when she became a widow. Very handsome of you. LADY FILSON. [_As before._] Ha! SIR RANDLE. [_Leaning back in his chair._] _There_ then, my dear Mr. Mackworth, is the state of the case. Ottoline is beyond our control---- LADY FILSON. Unhappily. SIR RANDLE. If she _will_ deal this crushing blow to her mother and myself, we must bow our heads to it. But, for the sake of your self-esteem, I beg you to reflect! [_Partly to_ PHILIP, _partly at_ OTTOLINE.] What construction would be put upon a union between you and Madame de Chaumie--between a lady of means and--I _must_ be cruel--I _must_ be brutal--a man who is--commercially at least--a failure? LADY FILSON. There _could_ only be one construction put upon it! OTTOLINE. [_Rising._] Mother----! PHILIP. [_To_ SIR RANDLE, _calmly._] Oh, but--ah, Ottoline hasn't told you----! OTTOLINE. [_To_ PHILIP.] No, I hadn't time, Philip---- PHILIP. My dear Sir Randle--[_rising and going to_ LADY FILSON]--my dear Lady Filson--let me dispel your anxiety for the preservation of my self-esteem. Ottoline and I have no idea of getting married yet awhile. OTTOLINE. No, mother. LADY FILSON. When, pray----? PHILIP. We have agreed to wait until I have ceased to be--commercially--a failure. OTTOLINE. [_To_ SIR RANDLE _and_ LADY FILSON.] Until he has obtained public recognition; [_coming forward_] until, in fact, even the member's of one's own family, Dad, can't impute unworthy motives. SIR RANDLE. [_To_ PHILIP, _incredulously--rising._] Until you have obtained public recognition, Mr. Mackworth? PHILIP. [_Smiling._] Well, it may sound extravagant---- LADY FILSON. Grotesque! SIR RANDLE. [_Walking about on the extreme right._] Amazing! OTTOLINE.