END OF THE SECOND ACT. THE THIRD ACT. DISASTER. The scene is the inner hall at Drumdurris Castle, Perthshire, leading on one side to the outer hall, and on the other to the picture gallery. It is solidly and comfortably furnished, and a fire is burning in the grate of the large oaken fireplace. It is an afternoon in August. IMOGEN is sitting at the table reading over a letter she has written. IMOGEN. "Dear Mr. White." I shall never call him Valentine again, except in my thoughts. [Reading.] "Dear Mr. White, I am sorry to hear that you are discontented with your recent appointment to the Deputy-Assistant-Head-Gamekeepership on the Drumdurris estate, and that you consider it a sinecure fit only for a debilitated peer." Now for it. [Resuming.] "Permit me to take this opportunity of informing you that I have at length consented to an engagement between myself and Sir Colin Macphail of Ballocheevin." Oh, how awful it looks in ink! [Resuming.] "As it is becoming that I should support such a position with dignity I would prefer not encountering your dislike to 'stuck-up people' by ever seeing you again." Oh, Val. "I therefore suggest that you obtain a nastier appointment than that of Deputy-Assistant-Head-Gamekeeper at Drumdurris without delay." That will do--beautifully. [In tears.] Oh, Val, why have you never spoken? I know you are poor, but I would have gone away with you and lived cheerfully and economically in that rock if you had but asked me. Why, why have you never asked me? [She sits on a footstool looking into the fire. BROOKE, in shooting dress, strolls in with LADY EUPHEMIA. They do not see IMOGEN.] BROOKE TWOMBLEY. [Coolly.] Well, then, Effie, I suppose I may regard our engagement as a fixture--what? I needn't say you'll find me an excellent husband. LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. Thanks, awfully. But perhaps you had better mention the subject to me again at some other time. BROOKE TWOMBLEY. Well, I shall be rather busy for the next week or two. LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. Oh, quite as you please. [Giving him her hand.] But you are really _too_ impetuous. BROOKE TWOMBLEY. Not at all. [About to kiss her.] You'll permit me, naturally? LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. [Languidly turning her cheek toward him.] Of course. Be careful of my hair--it will not be dressed again before lunch. [He kisses her cheek cautiously. IMOGEN rises without seeing them.] LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. [To BROOKE.] Somebody. [They stroll away in opposite directions.] IMOGEN. After all, as he has never been a lover, why shouldn't I see him and mention my engagement in a calm, cool, ladylike way? [Tearing up the letter passionately.] I must see him once more--in a calm, cool, ladylike way. I'll write just a line asking him to come to me this morning. [As she sits to write LADY EUPHEMIA and BROOKE stroll in again and meet each other.] LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART. [To BROOKE.] Good-morning. BROOKE TWOMBLEY. [To LADY EUPHEMIA.] Good-morning. LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.