_Isabel_. And almost as much for the butcher. Don’t belittle the circle of your benevolence. (_She walks across the room_.) Three o’clock already--and Marian asked me to give orders about the carriages. Let me see--Mr. Oberville is the first arrival; if you’ll ring I will send word to the stable. I suppose you’ll stay now? _Warland_. Stay? _Isabel_. Not go to Washington. I thought you spoke as if he could help you. _Warland_. He could settle the whole thing in five minutes. The President can’t refuse him anything. But he doesn’t know me; he may have a candidate of his own. It’s a pity you haven’t seen him for so long--and yet I don’t know; perhaps it’s just as well. The others don’t arrive till seven? It seems as if--How long is he going to be here? Till to-morrow night, I suppose? I wonder what he’s come for. The Merringtons will bore him to death, and Adelaide, of course, will be philandering with Lender. I wonder (_a pause_) if Darley likes boating. (_Rings the bell_.) _Isabel_. Boating? _Warland_. Oh, I was only thinking--Where are the matches? One may smoke here, I suppose? _(He looks at his wife.)_ If I were you I’d put on that black gown of yours to-night--the one with the spangles.--It’s only that Fred Langham asked me to go over to Narragansett in his launch to-morrow morning, and I was thinking that I might take Darley; I always liked Darley. _Isabel (to the footman who enters)_. Mrs. Raynor wishes the dog-cart sent to the station at five o’clock to meet Mr. Oberville. _Footman_. Very good, m’m. Shall I serve tea at the usual time, m’m? _Isabel_. Yes. That is, when Mr. Oberville arrives. _Footman (going out)_. Very good, m’m. _Warland (to Isabel, who is moving toward the door)_. Where are you going? _Isabel_. To my room now--for a walk later. _Warland_. Later? It’s past three already. _Isabel_. I’ve no engagement this afternoon. _Warland_. Oh, I didn’t know. (_As she reaches the door_.) You’ll be back, I suppose? _Isabel_. I have no intention of eloping. _Warland_. For tea, I mean? _Isabel_. I never take tea. (_Warland shrugs his shoulders_.) II _The same drawing-room. _Isabel_ enters from the lawn in hat and gloves. The tea-table is set out, and the footman just lighting the lamp under the kettle_. _Isabel_. You may take the tea-things away. I never take tea. _Footman_. Very good, m’m. (_He hesitates_.) I understood, m’m, that Mr. Oberville was to have tea? _Isabel_. Mr. Oberville? But he was to arrive long ago! What time is it? _Footman_. Only a quarter past five, m’m. _Isabel_. A quarter past five? (_She goes up to the clock_.) Surely you’re mistaken? I thought it was long after six. (_To herself_.) I walked and walked--I must have walked too fast ... (_To the Footman_.) I’m going out again. When Mr. Oberville arrives please give him his tea without waiting for me. I shall not be back till dinner-time. _Footman_. Very good, m’m. Here are some letters, m’m.