(_Apologetically._) You see my examination is coming on pretty soon now. PRIMROSE DEANE. Well, anyhow, you could come down again afterwards. (_A pause--pettishly as she crosses to window._) But there! of course if you want to avoid any chance of ever seeing any of us any more why---- (Turns her back on him.) TED MORRIS. (_Speaking low and earnestly._) It would be better perhaps if I did avoid seeing---- one of you any more. PRIMROSE DEANE. Oh, what an unkind thing to say! Which one? Why? TED MORRIS. Because I'm afraid that if I saw very much more of her---- PRIMROSE DEANE. Of _her!_ TED MORRIS. Of her--I might make a fool of myself. (_A pause_.) PRIMROSE DEANE. (_Who shows she fully understands his drift--coquettishly._) In--in any particular sort of away? TED MORRIS. In a way that men often do make fools of themselves, Miss Deane. Perhaps we'd better change the conversation. PRIMROSE DEANE. I--_I_ think it's ra-rather interesting. TED MORRIS. (_With sudden eager excitement._) Miss Deane--Primrose--do you mean that you could ever---- MRS. BEN DIXON. (_Without._) Primrose--Primrose. (_Ted stops. Primrose starts, and seems irritated._) (_Calling louder_.) Primrose. PRIMROSE DEANE. (_Calling._) Yes, Mrs. Ben Dixon, I'm coming. (_To Ted_.) Don't go away. I'll be back again in a minute. (_Runs off._) TED MORRIS. By Jove! Am I awake or dreaming! She _must_ have meant she---- (Enter Theo.) THEODORE TRAVERS. (_He is smoking a cigarette._) Oh, I thought Primrose was here. TED MORRIS. Yes. She--she'll be back in a minute, I think. THEODORE TRAVERS. Oh. Just give her that. (_Hands him a letter._) Tell her not to be alarmed at the seal. It's only from her guardian--the Lord Chancellor. TED MORRIS. The Lord Chancellor! THEODORE TRAVERS. Yes; didn't you know? She's a ward in Chancery. TED MORRIS. No--I--I thought it was only heiresses who were wards in Chancery. THEODORE TRAVERS. Well, you'd call her an heiress, I suppose. She'll be worth about two thousand a year. (_A pause._) TED MORRIS. (_With a slight laugh, and by a great effort, speaking in natural easy tones._) I--I thought she was a poor little penniless orphan--dependent on Aunt Bella. THEODORE TRAVERS. No; she doesn't suggest the heiress a bit, does she? Just as well she doesn't, perhaps. One doesn't have to be keeping such a continual look out for the fortune-hunting crew. She'll want to see me about that letter, I expect. I shall be down on the Putting Green. (_Goes out._) TED MORRIS. (_Bitterly._) Yes, I was dreaming. This is the awakening. An heiress with two thousand a year, and I with hardly a second coat to my back! A smart pair they'd have said we were--Nelly and I. Damn the money! (_Enter Primrose._) PRIMROSE DEANE. (_Running over to him._) I haven't been long, have I? TED MORRIS.