A few hours ago it was--"By Jove, all is over." Now I find you with a bosom friend enjoying devilled oysters. VALE. I beg your pardon, I find you enjoying devilled oysters. CHARLOTTE. Horace Vale, you forget you have forfeited the right to exercise any control over my diet. VALE. One would think I had broken off our engagement. CHARLOTTE. If you have not, who has? I have your letter saying all is over between us. [_Putting her handkerchief to her eyes._] That letter will be stamped tomorrow at Somerset House. I know how to protect myself. VALE. Charlotte, can you explain your conduct with Gordon Bristow? CHARLOTTE. I could if I chose; a young lady can explain anything. VALE. But he is showing your gift to our fellows all over the place. CHARLOTTE. It was a debt of honour. He laid me a box of gloves to a pair of slippers about "Forked Lightning" for the Regimental Cup, and "Forked Lightning" went tender at the heel. I couldn't come to you with debts hanging over me. [_Crying._] I'm too conscientious. VALE. By Jove, I've been a brute. CHARLOTTE. Y-y-yes. VALE. Can you forget I ever wrote that letter? CHARLOTTE. That must be a question of time. [_She lays her head on his shoulder and then removes it._] How damp you are. [_She puts her handkerchief upon his shoulder, and replaces her head. She moves his arm gradually up and arranges it round her shoulder._] If you went on anyhow every time I discharged an obligation, we should be most unhappy. VALE. I promise you I won't mention Bristow's slippers again. By Jove, I won't--there. CHARLOTTE. Very well, then, if you do that I'll give you my word I won't pay any more debts before our marriage. VALE. My darling! [_About to embrace him, but remembering that he is wet._ CHARLOTTE. No--no--you are too damp. ISIDORE. [_Outside._] I beg your pardon, it is a quarter of an hour over our time. [_AGATHA POSKET has been sitting on the sofa; suddenly she starts, listening intently._ MR. POSKET. [_Outside._] I know--I know. I'm going directly I can get the boy away. AGATHA POSKET. [_To herself._] Æneas! CIS. [_Outside._] All right, Guv, you finish your bottle. AGATHA POSKET. My boy. ISIDORE. [_Outside._] Gentlemen, come--come. AGATHA POSKET. [_To herself._] Miserable deceiver! This, then, is the club, and the wretched man conspires to drag my boy down to his own awful level. What shall I do? I daren't make myself known here. I know; I'll hurry home, and if I reach there before Æneas, which I shall do, I'll sit up for him. _LUKYN returns._ AGATHA POSKET. Is the cab at the door? LUKYN. It is. AGATHA POSKET. Charlotte! Charlotte! [_Drawing her veil down._ CHARLOTTE. I'm ready, dear. [_To VALE._] Married sisters are always a little thoughtless. VALE. [_Offering his arm._] Permit me. LUKYN. [_Offering his arm to AGATHA POSKET._] My dear madam. _They are all four about to leave when BLOND enters hurriedly._ BLOND.