Nelly, didn't you ever have a young lover? Mr. Cherry's awfully nice and good, but you know what I mean--somebody handsome, and big, and impudent. Who---- (_With a girl's quickness notices the trembling of Nelly's lip._) Was it very long ago? NELLY MORRIS. (_Very low._) I think so--very, very long ago. PRIMROSE DEANE. What happened? Did you quarrel? NELLY MORRIS. No, dear. Only like Jamie in the ballad, he hadn't any siller and Ted and I hadn't any siller, and---- PRIMROSE DEANE. And so you're going to marry "Auld Robin Gray." Oh, Nelly, is it too late? There's a lot of siller in the world, but there isn't much love. Is it too late, dear? NELLY MORRIS. Yes. (_Enter Jack, with hat and stick in hand, ushered in by servant._) SERVANT. Mrs. Ben Dixon won't be long, sir. (_Goes out_.) PRIMROSE DEANE. Oh, Mr. Medbury! (_Advances to him and shakes hands._) JACK MEDBURY. How d'you do, Miss Deane? (_Shaking hands with Nelly, who has risen, a little constrainedly._) How are you, Miss Morris? PRIMROSE DEANE. Mrs. Ben Dixon will be so glad to see you, I know. She was saying only this morning how sorry she was you hadn't been able to come down. JACK MEDBURY. Well, I'm ashamed to say I haven't come to see Mrs. Ben Dixon now. (_The girls look surprised._) I've really come more to see Ted. Is he here? PRIMROSE DEANE. (_Anxiously._) There's nothing happened? JACK MEDBURY. Nothing to do with him. It's a matter I wanted to consult him about, that's all. PRIMROSE DEANE. I'll go and find him for you. JACK MEDBURY. Oh, it's a shame to trouble you. PRIMROSE DEANE. It's brutal, isn't it? (_She goes out laughing._) JACK MEDBURY. (_After a pause; he and Nelly seem careful not to look at one another._) How is Ted? All right? NELLY MORRIS. Yes, he's very much better. He seems more cheerful. JACK MEDBURY. Ah, yes, things are looking a bit brighter for him, I hope. Change of luck's better even than change of air for putting new life into a man, I should think. NELLY MORRIS. How--how are _you_ getting on? JACK MEDBURY. Me? Oh, much the same as usual. I suppose _I_ ought to be a little luckier now, if there's any truth in the old adage. NELLY MORRIS. (_Still not looking at him--after a pause._) Jack, can you forgive me? JACK MEDBURY. There's nothing to forgive, Nelly. NELLY MORRIS. Yes there is, Jack--a lot. I've used you very badly. Any other man would hate me and despise me. But--but I don't want you to, Jack. (_Leans over over her book. A pause._) JACK MEDBURY. There's not much fear of that, Nelly. I can never tell you--I had better not try to, perhaps--what I feel--what I shall always feel towards you. It isn't hate, Nelly. We shall be drifting farther and farther apart, out of sight of one another. Think of me--when you do think of me--as kindly as I shall ever think of you. It will be a help to me to know that you are doing so.