THE SECOND ACT _The scene is the same as in the preceding act, the drawing room of_ LORD FRANCIS ETCHINGHAM’S _house in Norfolk Street_. _It is afternoon._ LADY FRANCIS _is seated, working at embroidery on a drum_. CATHERINE _stands at the window, looking out into the street_. LADY FRANCIS. Aren’t you tired, Kate? CATHERINE. [_Still looking out of the window._] No, mother. LADY FRANCIS. You were out all the morning. CATHERINE. I went to see my lawyers. LADY FRANCIS. [_With a sigh._] I can’t understand that with such a father and such a mother, you should be such a monster of determination. [CATHERINE _neither answers nor turns_. LADY FRANCIS. [_After a quick look at her._] Dr. O’Farrell says your father will be well enough to come downstairs to-morrow. CATHERINE. I’m glad of that. LADY FRANCIS. This is the second attack of gout he’s had this year. CATHERINE. Poor old thing! LADY FRANCIS. Aren’t you tired of staring at the house opposite? You’re not expecting anyone, are you? CATHERINE. No. LADY FRANCIS. You’re dreadfully restless. [_With a faint smile._] I’m growing quite exhausted. [CATHERINE _gives a little cry of astonishment and alarm_. LADY FRANCIS. What’s the matter? CATHERINE. [_Turning round and coming forward._] George has just driven up. LADY FRANCIS. I suppose he’s come to see your father. CATHERINE. They mustn’t let him up. I won’t see him. It’s monstrous that I should have to put up with this. LADY FRANCIS. My dear, don’t worry. George hasn’t made any attempt to see you for a fortnight. [GEORGE WINTER _comes in hurriedly, unannounced; he shuts the door behind him_. CATHERINE. [_Indignantly._] What d’you want? You’ve got no right to force yourself upon me. [_She makes a movement to leave the room, but he intercepts her. He takes a paper out of his pocket._ GEORGE WINTER. I’ve just been served with this. CATHERINE. What else did you expect? GEORGE WINTER. Your father told me that nothing was going to be done for the moment. CATHERINE. I can’t help what father said. It’s my business. I can allow no one to interfere with me. LADY FRANCIS. What is that, George? GEORGE WINTER. Would you like to look at it? It’s an interesting document. CATHERINE. It’s the petition, mother. LADY FRANCIS. I wish I had my glasses. I’ve never seen one before. GEORGE WINTER. [_Grimly._] You’ve been lucky. LADY FRANCIS. [_With an acid smile._] Or virtuous. GEORGE WINTER. [_To_ _Catherine_.] You’ve got to withdraw this. CATHERINE. Surely you must see that from now all communications between us must pass through our lawyers. GEORGE WINTER. Rats! [CATHERINE _crosses the room and rings the bell at the side of the fireplace_. GEORGE WINTER. What are you ringing for? CATHERINE. For Thompson to open the door for you. GEORGE WINTER. That’s excessively thoughtful of you. CATHERINE. Mother, can’t you protect me from this?