Beata. Well, you must make the best of it, dear boy! Norbert. Aunt Beata--you're _not_ the same since yesterday. I knew it all along. What a beastly business life is! You--you--of all women!--that they should dare attack you! The scoundrels--the miserable sneaking scoundrels! Beata. Norbert, dear, you must see that this is a matter we can't discuss. Besides, I have something else to talk to you about. Can you tell me what time it is? Norbert. Half-past four. Beata. Will you ring for the lamps, please? Ring twice. (Norbert _rings_.) I have only a few minutes to spare, but it won't take long to-- (Conrad _brings in two lamps, and draws the curtains_) to tell you what I-- (_She hesitates, constrained by_ Conrad's _presence_.) This is Miss Mansborough's afternoon. She has probably gone out. (Conrad _leaves the room_.) You will find Ellen alone in her sitting-room--go and look for her--and when you find her, put your arms about her, and say to her, "I love you, and I shall always love you, in this world and the next"--provided there is any next! Norbert. Aunt Beata! (_Falls on his knees before her and hides his face in her lap_.) Beata (_struggling with her tears_). And then sit down in the twilight, you and Ellen, quietly, side by side, and talk of all the happiness that is coming to you and of all the good you mean to do. Let it be your hour of consecration. And I shall be with you all the while--feeling your happiness, thinking your thoughts--all through this next hour of my life.--Now go, Norbert. I hear some one coming--it must be your father. I will tell him--go, dear, go. Norbert. Aunt Beata! (_Kisses her hand_.) Beata. Your hour of consecration remember that, Norbert. (Norbert _goes out_.) _Enter_ Richard. Richard. What has happened? You look radiant. Beata. (_Taking his hand and holding it fast_.) I have settled the future of our children. No matter what happens to us-- Why, Richard, aren't you the least bit pleased?--Oh, how ill you look! Richard. What sort of a night did you have, Beata? Beata. Not so bad.--And how goes the speech? Are you in sight of land? Richard. Beata--I don't know if I shall be able to speak to-morrow. Beata (_alarmed_). But you must. You must. They all count on you. Dear, you _must_. Is it because of that wretched business last night? Richard. Partly, I suppose. This new danger has stirred up the whole past. Beata.