MARGERY [_again embracing him_]. Oh, I'm so happy, uncle! ENID [_aside_]. Wish she wouldn't do that! MARGERY. Oh, so happy! COLONEL. So am I, Margery. What did I always say? Caroline's a heart of gold. I knew she would come round. I always said I'd stand by you and Gerald. MARGERY. Uncle! COLONEL. I always said so! MARGERY. You ran away! COLONEL. Yes, but I said so. Then you have got her card? MARGERY [_nodding her head_]. Yes! [_Jumps up and gives him another kiss._ ENID [_aside, jealously_]. I do wish she wouldn't! COLONEL. My doing, Margery--my doing! ENID. I have a card as well! COLONEL. My doing, Miss Bethune! ENID. I've just been ordering my gown! COLONEL [_gallantly_]. I trust it will be worthy of the wearer. [_Bows. ENID smiles._ MARGERY. Have you a card, Miss Vivash? VICTORIA [_who has sat very quietly, now rises_]. If you'll excuse me, dear, I'll say good-morning! MARGERY [_shakes hands_]. Must you go? [_Exit VICTORIA, L._ MARGERY. Excuse _me,_ uncle. Gerald doesn't know you're here! [_Exit, R._ COLONEL. Miss Vivash? ENID. Don't trouble, Colonel! She resents an escort. I have no patience with Victoria. Trying to be a man! COLONEL. And making only a _succès d'estime!_ ENID. I like a woman to be womanly! COLONEL [_aside_]. The best of 'em. ENID. I don't mean weak--like Agnes. She goes to the other extreme. Do you know, I'm getting very anxious about Agnes! COLONEL. Mrs. Sylvester? ENID. Haven't you noticed anything? Of course not! You men never do! COLONEL. I am afraid I must plead guilty! ENID. Haven't you observed how much she and your nephew are together? COLONEL. But they're collaborating. ENID. Ah, Colonel, when a man collaborates with a woman, a third person ought always to be present. COLONEL. To protect the man? ENID [_tapping him, playfully_]. You are incorrigible! COLONEL [_cheerfully_]. I always was, and at my age reformation is out of the question! ENID. Oh, you are not so old as all that! COLONEL. Guess. ENID. Fifty! COLONEL [_pleased_]. Add six to it! ENID. Six! COLONEL [_aside_]. She might add eight. ENID. I don't believe it, Colonel. COLONEL [_aside_]. _Quite_ the best of 'em! [_Sits._] So you have appointed yourself the third person? ENID. It's time someone did. COLONEL. A sort of Vigilance Committee, eh? ENID. I simply take the interest of a friend in Agnes. COLONEL. And what is the result of your observations? ENID. I have come to a terrible conclusion. COLONEL. You alarm me! ENID. That she is a poor, tempted creature. COLONEL. Bless me! I never regarded her in that light before. I thought the boot was on the other leg. [_Corrects himself hurriedly._] Foot!--foot! [_Indicating ENID'S, which she is carefully showing; aside._] Very neat foot she has! ENID. Men always stand by one another, so should women. Agnes must be protected against herself! COLONEL.