[_She sinks into the screen-chair, with her eyes closed. Slipping the case into her pocket,_ SOPHY _tip-toes up to the door in the partition; she opens it and beckons to_ QUEX, _who appears with_ FRAYNE. SOPHY. [_To_ QUEX, _in a whisper._] Phsst! It's all nicely settled. She's said good-bye to him for good. What a fuss you made about nothing! [_She points to the screen-chair; he approaches_ MURIEL. SOPHY _and_ FRAYNE _talk together._ QUEX. [_Softly._] Muriel-- MURIEL. [_Opening her eyes, startled._] Quex! QUEX. [_Brightly._] I came up to town this morning with Sir Chichester. We've just met aunt Julia, and the rest of 'em, in Sackville Street. Mrs. Jack clamours for lunch at Prince's. What do you say? MURIEL. [_Passing her hand across her eyes._] Thanks. It'll be jolly. QUEX. [_Gaily._] Ah! MURIEL. [_Laying her hand upon his sleeve._] Quex-- QUEX. Eh? MURIEL. [_Rising, and speaking in a low, appealing voice._] Give me your word you have been loyal to me, down to your very thought, since our engagement. QUEX. [_Earnestly._] Muriel, I-- MURIEL. Hush! [_Giving him her hand._] I believe you. [_The door-gong sounds._] And, look here! I haven't been quite fair, or generous, to you, I am afraid. But I am going to be different-- QUEX. After to-day! MURIEL. From this moment. Harry-- QUEX. Hey? MURIEL. I won't keep you till the end of the year. Marry me, and have done with it, directly the Season is over, and take me away. QUEX. [_Bending over her hand._] Good heavens--! [MISS LIMBIRD _holds the_ portière _aside and admits_ LADY OWBRIDGE, _the_ DUCHESS OF STROOD, _and_ MRS. EDEN. MISS LIMBIRD _then returns to her desk._ QUEX _goes to_ LADY OWBRIDGE, _takes her arm, and leads her forward._] Aunt Julia! aunt! my dear aunt Julia! [_The_ DUCHESS _joins_ FRAYNE. MRS. EDEN _comes to_ MURIEL _and receives the news of the hastened marriage._ SOPHY _moves away to the window._ QUEX. [_Excitedly, to_ LADY OWBRIDGE.] Oh, my dear aunt! LADY OWBRIDGE. What ails you, Henry? QUEX. Muriel! she--she--she's going to marry me! LADY OWBRIDGE. I hope so. QUEX. But at the end of the Season! a month hence! a month, a month, a month! LADY OWBRIDGE. My dear boy! Heaven prosper your union! Muriel-- MRS. EDEN. [_To_ LADY OWBRIDGE.] Isn't this glorious news, Lady Owbridge? But I always thought it unwise to protract the engagement. You never know _what_ may happen, do you? I must tell the dear Duchess-- [_She joins the_ DUCHESS _and_ FRAYNE, _and chatters to them._ LADY OWBRIDGE. [_To_ MURIEL, _in a low voice._] Muriel, you are right. In this life, if you have anything to pardon, pardon quickly. Slow forgiveness is little better than no forgiveness. MRS. EDEN. [_Coming to_ QUEX.] Congratulate you. QUEX. Thanks. [LADY OWBRIDGE _moves away, joining the_ DUCHESS, _as_ MRS. EDEN _returns to_ MURIEL. MRS. EDEN. [_Kissing_ MURIEL.] You sensible girl! [FRAYNE _comes to_ QUEX. FRAYNE.