[_Her face close to his._] You know what I mean! As soon as possible-- next month, if you like-- next week-- quietly--! [_He grips her arms and stares at her blankly._] Ha, ha! Yes, you've been in too great a hurry to settle matters, _you_ have. Lord Farncombe and I-- we-- _we're_ not going to be married. I've refused him. [_Wildly._] I-- I've ruined _you_, Nicko; but I-- I've told him-- I'm not going to draw _him_ into my net! [_Clinging to JEYES and burying her face in the breast of his coat, crying._] Oh! Oh! Oh! I'm not going to draw _him_ into my net! [_Again there is a pause and then JEYES turns to FARNCOMBE, dazed._ JEYES. Farncombe----? FARNCOMBE. [_Inclining his head._] Yes-- yes---- JEYES. [_With feeling._] My dear fellow, I-- I----! LILY. [_Raising her head and speaking through her tears-- to JEYES._] Nicko, I-- I want to have one more word with Lord Farncombe-- just one more word. [_He nods understandingly and goes to the door on the left. She follows him._] Only a minute; [_he opens the door_] and then you must walk away together, you and he, and part good friends. [_He goes out on to the landing and she closes the door and stands with her back to it, drying her eyes with her handkerchief. FARNCOMBE, still carrying his hat and overcoat, has crossed to the settee, a forlorn figure._] W-w-well, you-- you _have_ had a lucky escape, haven't you? FARNCOMBE. [_Heavily._] Escape? LILY. [_Leaving the door and advancing._] You-- you've heard what a cold-blooded, selfish wretch I am-- how I've treated Nicko! FARNCOMBE. [_Waving the idea away._] Oh----! LILY. [_Coming to him._] And you've seen what I'm like when I'm in a rage; you've seen what the genuine Lily Margaret Upjohn is, without her disguise. [_Looking up into his face pathetically._] Yes, that was _me_, Eddie, under the crust. Common as dirt, dear; common as dirt! [_Holding the lapels of his coat._] Oh! Oh, you'll always remember me, with my eyes starting out of my head, spitting at Nicko! You'll always picture that horrible sight when you think of me. FARNCOMBE. You-- you were provoked; I-- I admired you for it. LILY. [_Tenderly._] Ah, you dear boy! [_In an altered tone._] Eddie---- FARNCOMBE. Yes? LILY. Had you-- a little hope-- that, after all, I might turn your offer over in my mind and-- and eventually----? FARNCOMBE. Yes-- yes. LILY. [_With a catch in her breath._] Ah----! [_In a whisper._] I-- I'll tell you something. FARNCOMBE. What? LILY. [_In his ear._] I _might_ have, if-- if you'd persisted. FARNCOMBE. [_Groaning._] Oh-h-h-h! LILY.