[_He rises; she hastily places herself on the other side of the chair._ QUEX. Look here! [_Leaning against the table, the chair being between him and_ SOPHY.] What will you take to hold your tongue? SOPHY. Nothing. QUEX. Oh, but wait. This isn't a matter of a handful of sovereigns. I'll give you a couple of thousand pounds to keep quiet about this. SOPHY. No, thank you, my lord. QUEX. Four thousand. SOPHY. [_Shaking her head._] No. QUEX. Five. SOPHY. No. QUEX. How much? SOPHY. Not twenty thousand. I'm extremely comfortably off, my lord, but if I wasn't I wouldn't accept a penny of your money. All I wish is to save Miss Muriel from marrying a--a gentleman who isn't fit for her. And that's what I intend doing. [_They stand looking at each other for a moment, silently; then he walks away, thoughtfully._ QUEX. [_In an altered tone._] Come here. SOPHY. [_With an eye on the door._] Certainly not. QUEX. As you please. Miss Fullgarney-- SOPHY. I hear you. QUEX. I should like to settle this business with you pleasantly--if possible. Allow me to say this. I don't think I am quite such an atrocious person as you appear to believe; in fact I can assure you I am not. SOPHY. [_Gathering her robe about her and advancing a few steps._] You must excuse me, my lord, but--[_glancing round the room_] you evidently forget where you are. QUEX. No, I don't; but I tell you--I tell you sincerely--that my visit to her Grace to-night was an innocent one. SOPHY. [_Turning her head away, in great disdain._] Really! QUEX. Really. You won't accept money? SOPHY. No, indeed, I will not. QUEX. Very well. Ha! it's an odd attitude for a man like myself to adopt towards--[_indicating_ SOPHY _by a motion of the hand._] But I make an appeal to you. SOPHY. [_Elevating her eyebrows._] Appeal? QUEX. [_With simple feeling and dignity._] I love Miss Eden. I would be a good husband to that young lady. Let me off. SOPHY. Let you off? QUEX. Don't tell on me. Don't try to rob me of Miss Eden. Let me off. SOPHY. I'm sorry to say I can't, my lord. QUEX You won't? SOPHY.