AUNTIE [off]. Leave him to me, William! I'll soon settle the matter! [Entering.] The man must be possessed of some evil spirit! . . . Why--it's my brother James! . . . [MANSON has risen, and is now the butler once more. He speaks into the ear-trumpet.] MANSON. Your sister and the vicar, my lord. BISHOP [behind table, rising]. Ah! Well, Martha!--No, no, no, if you please! [He restrains her approach.] Observe the retribution of an unchastened will. You have never seen my face for sixteen years! However, like a cloud, I blot out your transgressions from this hour! And so this is your husband ?--Not a word, sir; not a single word!--the sausages were delicious, and your place has been most agreeably occupied by your brother! VICAR. My brother! Then you . . . What do you mean? BISHOP [testily]. I mean what I say, sir! Your brother, _my_ brother, _our_ brother here, of course, our Oriental brother! AUNTIE. James, you are making a mistake: this is our new butler--our _Indian_ butler. BISHOP. Your Indian--WHAT? [He stands cogitating horribly until the end of the act, facing towards MANSON.] AUNTIE. What has made him like this? He seems possessed! MANSON. He is! . . . I have just been having some trouble with _another_ devil, ma'am. AUNTIE. Meaning, of course . . . What has become of him? MANSON [with his eye]. _He_ is cast out forever. AUNTIE. Where is he now? MANSON. He walks through dry places seeking--[he probes her soul]--_other_ habitations. AUNTIE. Manson! This is your doing! Oh, you have saved us! MANSON. I am trying to, ma'am; but, God knows, you make it rather difficult! [A change comes over her face, as the curtain slowly falls.] THE THIRD ACT As the curtain rises, the scene and situation remain unchanged; but attention now centres in the Bishop, who appears to be struggling apoplectically for speech. BISHOP [bursting]. Before we proceed a step further, I have a most extraordinary request to make! The fact is, you interrupted me in the middle of a most engrossing spiritual discussion with my . . . that is to say, with your . . . in short, with that person standing over there! My request is, that I be permitted a few minutes further conversation with him--alone, and at once! ALL. ) With Manson! . . . MANSON. ) With me! . . . BISHOP. Not a word! I know my request will appear singular--most singular! But I assure you it is most necessary. The peace, the security of a human soul depends upon it! Come, sir! Where shall we go? MANSON. Have I your permission, ma'am AUNTIE. Certainly; but it is most extraordinary! MANSON [crossing]. Then I think this way, my lord, in the drawing-room . . . [He leads the way.] BISHOP [following]. And you may be sure, my good fellow, I will give anything--I say, anything--to remedy your misapprehensions! Hm! [They go into the drawing-room, right, MANSON holding the door for the other to pass.] VICAR. Martha! It's no use! I can't do it!