[_Taking the dish._] Thanks, old fellow. [_He returns to the table and lifts the cover._] Soles--they look tempting. If there are only some lemons! Surely they are not so brutal as to have forgotten the lemons. Where are they? [_He returns to the sideboard._] Where are they? [_In an undertone to VALE._] Have you seen any lemons? AGATHA POSKET. Pray, think less of us, Colonel Lukyn. Let me take care of you. LUKYN. You're very kind. I wish you would let me ring for some lemons. [_VALE'S hand comes as before from behind the curtain to the sideboard, finds the dish of lemons, and holds it out at arm's length._ VALE. [_In a whisper._] Lemons. [_AGATHA POSKET is helping LUKYN, when suddenly CHARLOTTE, with her fork in the air, leans back open-mouthed, staring wildly at VALE'S arm extended with the dish._ CHARLOTTE. [_In terror._] Agatha! Agatha! AGATHA POSKET. Charlotte! what's the matter, Charley? CHARLOTTE. Agatha! AGATHA POSKET. You're ill, Charlotte! Surely you are not choking? CHARLOTTE. [_Pointing to the curtains._] Look, look! [_They both scream._ LUKYN. Don't be alarmed--I---- CHARLOTTE. } What's that? } } [_Together._] AGATHA POSKET. } Who's that? } LUKYN. I can explain. Don't condemn till you've heard. I--I---- Damn it, sir, put these lemons down! CHARLOTTE. He calls him "Sir"--it must be a man. LUKYN. It is a man. I am not in a position to deny that. AGATHA POSKET. Really, Colonel Lukyn! LUKYN. It is my friend. He--he--he's merely waiting for his supper. AGATHA POSKET. Your friend. [_To CHARLOTTE._] Come home, dear. LUKYN. Do, do hear me! To avoid the embarrassment of your encountering a stranger, he retreated to the balcony. AGATHA POSKET. To the balcony? You have shamefully compromised two trusting women, Colonel Lukyn. LUKYN. I would have laid down my life rather than have done so. I did lay down my friend's life. AGATHA POSKET. He has overheard every confidential word I have spoken to you. LUKYN. Hear his explanation. Why the devil don't you corroborate me, sir? VALE. [_From behind the curtain._] Certainly, I assure you I heard next to nothing. CHARLOTTE. [_Grasping AGATHA POSKET'S arm._] Oh, Agatha! VALE. I didn't come in till I was exceedingly wet. LUKYN. [_To AGATHA POSKET._] You hear that? VALE. And when I did come in---- CHARLOTTE. [_Hysterically._] Horace! VALE. I beg your pardon. CHARLOTTE. It's Horace, Captain Vale. VALE. [_Coming from behind the curtain, looking terribly wet._] Charlotte--Miss Verrinder. CHARLOTTE. What are you doing here? What a fright you look. VALE. What am I doing here, Miss Verrinder? Really, Lukyn, your conduct calls for some little explanation. LUKYN. My conduct, sir? VALE. You make some paltry excuse to turn me out in the rain while you entertain a lady who you know has very recently broken my heart. LUKYN. I didn't know anything of the kind. VALE.