[At the word "Bootle," a wave of warm colour rushes over Alice and dyes her from neck to brow. If she is not an actress of sufficient calibre to ensure this, she must do the best she can by starting abruptly and putting her hand to her throat. Alice (aside, in a choking voice). Mr Bootle! In love with Jane! Jane. My dear! The man who took me down to dinner! Well! Alice (picking up her work again and trying to be calm). What will you say? Jane (rather pleased with herself). Well, really--I--this is--Mr Bootle! Fancy! Alice (starting up). Was that a ring? (She frowns at the prompter and a bell is heard to ring.) It is Mr Bootle! I know his ring, I mean I know--Dear, I think I will go and lie down. I have a headache. [She looks miserably at the audience, closes her eyes, and goes off with her handkerchief to her mouth, taking care not to fall over the furniture. Enter Mary, followed by James Bootle. Mary. Mr Bootle. (Exit finally.) Jane. Good-morning, Mr Bootle! Bootle. I beg--I thought--Why, of course! It's Miss--er-h'm, yes--How do you do? Did you get back safely last night? Jane. Yes, thank you, (Coyly.) I got your letter. Bootle. My letter? (Sees his letter on the table. Furiously.) You opened my letter! Jane (mistaking his fury for passion). Yes--James. And (looking down on the ground) the answer is "Yes." Bootle (realizing the situation). By George! (Aside.) I have proposed to the wrong lady! Tchck! Jane. You may kiss me, James. Bootle. Have you a sister? Jane (missing the connection). Yes, I have a younger sister, Alice. (Coldly.) But I hardly see-- Bootle (beginning to understand how he made the mistake). A younger sister! Then you are Miss Prendergast? And my letter--Ah! Enter Alice. Alice. You are wanted, Jane, a moment. Jane. Will you excuse me, Mr Bootle? [Exit. Bootle (to Alice, as she follows her sister out). Don't go! Alice (wanly--if she knows how). Am I to stay and congratulate you? Bootle. Alice! (They approach the footlights, while Jane, having finished her business, comes in unobserved and watches from the back.) It is all a mistake! I didn't know your Christian name--I didn't know you had a sister. The letter I addressed to Miss Prendergast I meant for Miss Alice Prendergast. Alice. James! My love! But what can we do? Bootle (gloomily). Nothing. As a man of honour I cannot withdraw. So two lives are ruined! Alice. You are right, James. Jane must never know. Good-bye! [They give each other a farewell embrace. Jane (aside). They love. (Fiercely.) But he is mine; I will hold him to his promise! (Picking up a photograph of Alice as a small child from an occasional table.) Little Alice! And I promised to take care of her--to protect her from the cruel world Baby Alice! (She puts her handkerchief to her eyes.) No! I will not spoil two lives! (Aloud.) Why "Good-bye," Alice? [Bootle and Alice, who have been embracing all this time--unless they can think of something else to do--break away in surprise.