Oh, tell her, my dear, she can come down. It's all right now. Come in a minute I want to speak to you. (_He closes door._) NELLY MORRIS. Is he gone? ADAM CHERRY. Yes, my dear. NELLY MORRIS. For good? ADAM CHERRY. Let us hope so. He is on his way to the continent. And (_giving to her letter_) he left this letter, my dear, for you and Ted. I think you will find the contents very satisfactory. NELLY MORRIS. It's the best thing that could happen, undoubtedly. I suppose he's walked off with nearly all aunt's money? ADAM CHERRY. A good deal of it I'm afraid, dear. And he's not the only old man who's had the idea of walking off with other people's property. NELLY MORRIS. (_With a laugh._) Have you been finding out any more of them? ADAM CHERRY. Yes, my dear (_turning towards her_). An old gentleman, my dear, (_taking her hand and stroking it_) that was about to walk off with a beautiful young lady who, by all the laws of love, was the rightful property of somebody else. Only, fortunately, he was stopped in time. (_Nelly looks at him and is about to speak. Stopping her, kindly._) Don't say anything, my dear, it will be less painful for both of us. I was an old fool; and you--you thought of others more than of yourself, my dear. (_Lightly_) The property must be restored to its real owner, and I must leave you, my dear, to make all necessary compensation for temporary loss. See Jack and tell him you are free. (_Enter Mrs. Ben Dixon, followed by Theodore._) MRS. BEN DIXON. We saw that old scoundrel sneak off. Is he coming back? I fancy not. ADAM CHERRY. MRS. BEN DIXON. Did Mrs. Wheedles let him go? ADAM CHERRY. I don't think she knows as yet. She's got to learn it poor woman. MRS. BEN DIXON. Poor soul! I must stop and say a kind word to her. I've been calling her a lot of bad names. (_Suddenly_) Here, do you know what Ted's done? ADAM CHERRY. (_Alarmed._) Nothing rash? MRS. BEN DIXON. Well, it all depends upon how you look at it. He's, got himself engaged to Primrose. ADAM CHERRY. (_Smiling meaningly._) Rather a good thing for him, isn't it? (_Enter Primrose and Ted_.) PRIMROSE. (_Who has overheard Cherry's remark as she enters._) No, it isn't. You mustn't think that at all, Mr. Cherry. I haven't any money, we're going to give it all away. Ted doesn't want me to have any. MRS. BEN DIXON. (_Aside to her._) Put it by, quietly, my dear, and hear what he says two years after marriage. THEODORE TRAVERS. (_Who has been occupying an unobtrusive position, taking notes._) You know I think it extremely uncivil of you; Ted, I had always regarded Primrose as my own personal property. I had been "nursing" her, as we say in the political world, for years. TED MORRIS. (_Laughing!_) I should have thought that a man of your age would have got over all ideas of that kind. PRIMROSE DEANE. (_Laughing._) Besides, Theodore, I'm not literary. You know I read the _Family Herald_. THEODORE TRAVERS.