GERALD. Say you will marry me! MARGERY. If you will let me call you "Mr. Gerald." [_Embrace._ COLONEL [_off, opens door L._]. Margery! where are you? _Re-enter L., just as MARGERY is withdrawing from GERALD'S arms, stands thunderstruck. Exit MARGERY, L._ GERALD. It's all right, uncle. COLONEL. All right, you call it? Look here, you young cub! None of your higher morality with Margery! GERALD. I tell you, it's all right. Margery's going to be your niece--my wife. COLONEL. Margery, your wife! [_Slight pause._] You're a damned lucky dog! GERALD. That I am, uncle! COLONEL. 'Gad, sir, you're a man; and I thought you were a monkey. I congratulate you! GERALD [_shaking hands_]. _You_ don't object then? COLONEL. I thought a Cazenove would come right side up. GERALD. But what will aunt say? COLONEL [_suddenly collapses_]. I was forgetting Caroline! GERALD. She must be told. COLONEL. But cautiously. Courage! I'll back you up! GERALD. I'll tell her now! COLONEL. Stay! Don't do anything rash! I wouldn't risk a private interview. Safety in numbers. GERALD. I will tell them all! COLONEL. Sht! what a bomb-shell! Courage! GERALD. Courage, yourself! You're shaking all over. COLONEL. No matter. I'll stand by you! LADY WARGRAVE [_opening door, L._]. Gerald! COLONEL. Form square! Prepare to receive cavalry! [_Retires up._ _Re-enter LADY WARGRAVE, L._ LADY WARGRAVE. Where are you? Why have you deserted me? To leave me at the mercy of that crew! My poor, dear, Gerald! however did you get into this set? GERALD. It was my poem did it. LADY WARGRAVE. I thought, that crime would bring its punishment. Now, they're upon the marriage service! As though _that_ concerned them! Gerald, if you marry any of that tribe, you'll really break my heart! [_COLONEL comes down R. of GERALD._ GERALD. I hope I shall never do that! LADY WARGRAVE. Marry a _woman,_ whatever else she is. COLONEL [_aside to GERALD_]. Courage! GERALD. Or isn't, aunt! [_Effusively._ COLONEL [_aside to GERALD_]. Caution! [_Retires up._ LADY WARGRAVE. Or isn't! _The door L. is thrown open, and re-enter DR. MARY, ENID, and VICTORIA, all talking, followed by MARGERY, who takes up her original position at the back._ DOCTOR. "Obey," forsooth! VICTORIA. To promise to love is ridiculous, for how can one control the mysterious expansions of the heart? DOCTOR. It is the brain that loves. A still more complicated mechanism. ENID. It is impossible to honour a man who has invariably lived a revolting, ante-nuptial life---- VICTORIA. But to "obey!" [_COLONEL works down stage, interested._ DOCTOR. Lady Wargrave, even _you_ surely wouldn't promise to "obey" a man? LADY WARGRAVE. Not till he asked me, certainly. COLONEL. Ha! ha! [_The trio turn on him; he retires up._ LADY WARGRAVE. Gerald, I must be going. DOCTOR. So must I. ENID. And I. DOCTOR. I have a clinical lecture---- VICTORIA. I have an engagement. GERALD.