Good gracious! Excuse me, Vale. [_Takes the envelope from BLOND, and opens it: reading the enclosed card._] Mrs. Posket--Mrs. Posket! "Mrs. Posket entreats Colonel Lukyn to see her for five minutes upon a matter of urgent necessity, and free from observation." By George! Posket must be ill in bed--I thought he looked seedy last night. [_To BLOND._] Of course--of course. Say I'll come down. BLOND. It is raining outside. I had better ask them up. LUKYN. Do--do. I'll get Captain Vale to step into another room. Be quick. Tell 'em I am quite alone. BLOND. Yes, Colonel. [_Hurries out._ CIS. [_In the next room rattling glasses and calling._] Waiter! Waiter! Waiter-r-r! Where the deuce are you? ISIDORE. Coming, sir, coming. I beg your pardon. [_Bustles out._ LUKYN. My dear Vale, I am dreadfully sorry to bother you. Two ladies, one the wife of a very old friend of mine, have followed me here and want half a dozen words with me alone. I am in your hands--how can I manage it? VALE. My dear fellow, don't mention it. Let me go into another room. LUKYN. Thank you, very much. You're so hungry too. Where's the waiter? Confound him, he's gone! VALE. All right. I'll pop in here. [_He passes behind sofa and tries the door leading into the other room._ CIS. [_Within._] What do you want? Who's there? VALE. Occupied--never mind--I'll find my way somewhere. [_There is a knock; VALE draws back._ BLOND. [_Without._] Colonel, are you alone? The ladies. LUKYN. One moment. Deuce take it, Vale! The ladies don't want to be seen. By George--I remember. There's a little balcony to that window; step out for a few moments--keep quiet--I shan't detain you--it's nothing important--husband must have had a fit or something. VALE. Oh, certainly! LUKYN. Good fellow--here's your hat. [_In his haste he fetches his own hat._ BLOND. [_Outside, knocking._] Colonel, Colonel! LUKYN. One moment. [_Giving his hat to VALE._] Awfully sorry. You're so hungry too. [_VALE puts on the hat, which is much too large for him._] Ah, that's my hat. VALE. My dear Lukyn--don't mention it. [_Opening the window and going out._ LUKYN. [_Drawing the curtain over the recess._] Just room for him to stand like a man in a sentry-box. Come in, Blond. _BLOND shows in AGATHA and CHARLOTTE, both wearing veils._ AGATHA POSKET. [_Agitated._] Oh, Colonel Lukyn! LUKYN. Pray compose yourself, pray compose yourself! AGATHA POSKET. What will you think? LUKYN. That I am perfectly enchanted. AGATHA POSKET. Thank you. [_Pointing to CHARLOTTE._] My sister. [_LUKYN and CHARLOTTE bow._ LUKYN. Be seated. Blond? [_Softly to him._] Keep the waiter out till I ring--that's all. [_The loud pattering of rain is heard._ BLOND. Yes, Colonel. LUKYN. Good gracious, Blond! What's that? BLOND. The rain outside. It is cats and dogs. LUKYN.