[_Unsteadily._] Whatever are you saying, my lord? [_Discovering that he has the jeweller's case and the paper._] Ah--! QUEX. Yes, I found these upon the table. [_She advances, to take them from him._] Miss Eden left them here--forgot them! SOPHY. [_In a murmur._] Yes. [_He gives them to her. She puts them into her pocket and sits._ QUEX. Come! tell me. SOPHY. You--you are not the only one in the field, my lord. QUEX. So I conclude. SOPHY. Have pity on her! QUEX. [_Sternly._] How dare you! SOPHY. It's more my fault than hers. QUEX. Continue. SOPHY. She has wanted to stop it, hating herself for being deceitful, but I--I've encouraged her, egged her on. QUEX. Yes. SOPHY. They've been in the habit of meeting here at my place. QUEX. [_Again pointing to the window._] In this fellow's rooms--Mr. Valma's-- SOPHY. [_Rising._] No, no. They've never met there, till this morning. But he--young Bastling--he's going away, abroad, in a fortnight or so, and he wished to say good-bye to her quietly. QUEX. [_Turning towards the window fiercely._] Ah--! SOPHY. [_Laying her hand upon his arm._] Be careful, my lord! QUEX. [_Looking at her._] Careful? SOPHY. [_Significantly._] I know how she feels to-day. If you _want_ to send her to Hong-Kong with Captain Bastling-- [QUEX _hesitates for a moment, then crosses to_ FRAYNE, _to whom he speaks apart._ QUEX. Chick! how shall I act? FRAYNE. [_Dismally._] Dear old chap, to be quite honest with you, I was not wholly captivated by Miss Eden when you presented me yesterday. QUEX. Tshah! What shall I do? wait? FRAYNE. In any event, of course, the man's head has to be punched. But it might be wise to delay doing it until-- QUEX. [_To_ SOPHY.] You spoke, a little while ago, of giving me "a chance." I see now what was in your mind. There's a risk, then, that this good-bye may not be final? SOPHY. [_Stammeringly._] W--well, I-- QUEX. [_Sharply._] Eh? SOPHY. [_Breaking down._] Oh, my lord, recollect, she's not much more than a girl! QUEX. No, she is not much more than a girl; but you--though you and she are of the same age--_you_ are a woman. _You_ know your world, upstairs and downstairs, boudoir and kitchen. Yet you own you have encouraged her in this, made her clandestine meetings with this penniless beggar possible. You--! you deserve to be whipped, Miss Fullgarney--whipped! SOPHY. [_Facing him._] Come, my lord! not so fast! After all, remember, Captain Bastling may be poor, but he's Miss Eden's match in other ways. QUEX. Match? SOPHY. Young, and good-looking. Oh, and isn't it natural--? QUEX.