[CATHERINE _does not answer. She takes a step or two impatiently._ LADY FRANCIS. Well? CATHERINE. I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. LADY FRANCIS. In that case, I should have thought you had nothing to conceal. CATHERINE. [_Defiantly._] I haven’t. When I thought that everything was over for me and that life was meaningless, I found it was only just beginning. And I thanked God for all I’d gone through because perhaps it made me less unfit for the great love that descended upon me. LADY FRANCIS. It’s Robert Colby, isn’t it? CATHERINE. Yes. LADY FRANCIS. And you’ve made your arrangements, I suppose, to be married as soon as the decree is made absolute? CATHERINE. We haven’t discussed the matter. LADY FRANCIS. But still, I may take it that is the intention? CATHERINE. Yes. LADY FRANCIS. Your father wishes me to tell you that if you quarrel with George it will ruin him. He could hardly keep the position that George has given him on his various boards. CATHERINE. You will be no worse off than before I married. LADY FRANCIS. Except that it appears your father owes George fifteen thousand pounds. CATHERINE. Do you want to cheat me again out of the little happiness that seems in store for me? LADY FRANCIS. I want you to do what is right in your own eyes. CATHERINE. How can you be so cruel? GEORGE WINTER. [_Opening the door._] May I come in? [_He enters with_ FRANCIS ETCHINGHAM. GEORGE WINTER _is a man of powerful build, with fine hair and fine eyes; he wears a short red beard. He is inclined to corpulence, but bears himself with an attractive swagger. He is a jovial, bland fellow. He appears to be the best-natured person in the world, and his great astuteness suggests itself only now and then in a look of his eyes. He has admirable control over an execrable temper._ CATHERINE _turns round with a startled cry at the sound of her husband’s voice_. CATHERINE. George! GEORGE WINTER. My dear, look pleased to see me. It’s only decent. CATHERINE. It’s infamous that you should come here. If you had any decent feeling.... GEORGE WINTER. [_Blandly._] My dear child, I had a business engagement with your father. It’s unreasonable to expect me not to keep it because you have temporarily abandoned the conjugal roof. CATHERINE. [_To her father._] You might have warned me. ETCHINGHAM. My dear, I was hoping that after a talk with your mother you’d have.... CATHERINE. [_Interrupting._] What can I do to show you that I’ve made up my mind for good and all? GEORGE WINTER. Even after one’s made up one’s mind, it’s not too late to listen to reason. LADY FRANCIS. I think for all our sakes you should listen to anything that George has to say. CATHERINE. [_To_ GEORGE WINTER.] Do you understand what my mother means? GEORGE WINTER. [_With a little chuckle._] I dimly suspect. CATHERINE.