PODB. Another gone! (_To the_ OLD MAIDS.) So you aren't going down to the Cloisters to-night? I'm told there's to be some fun there--Hide-and-seek, or something--first-rate place for it, especially now the moon's up! FIRST O. M. Nobody told _us_ a word about it. Hide-and-seek--and in those quaint old Cloisters too--It sounds delightful! What do you say, Tabitha. Shall we just----? Only to look _on_, you know. We needn't _play_, unless---- [_The_ TWO OLD MAIDS _withdraw in a pleased flutter._ PODBURY _crosses to_ CULCHARD. PODB. (_with determination_). Look here, Culchard, I'd just like to know what you mean by the way you're going on. CULCH. I thought we were both agreed that discussions of this kind---- PODB. It's all bosh our travelling together if we're not to have any discussions. You've been on the sulk long enough. And I'll thank you to inform me what you're after here, going about alone with Miss Prendergast like this, in the Museum with her all the morning, and on the lake again this afternoon--it won't _do,_ you know! CULCH. If she happens to prefer my society to yours and her brother's, I presume you have no claim to interfere. PODB. I don't know about that. How about Miss Trotter? CULCH. If I remember rightly, you yourself were not insensible to Miss Trotter's--er--attractions? PODB. Perhaps not; but I am not engaged to her--you _are_. You told me so in the train. CULCH. You entirely misunderstood me. There was no definite understanding between us--nothing of the sort or kind. In fact, it was merely a passing caprice. Since I have had the privilege of knowing Miss Prendergast, I see clearly---- PODB. Then you mean to propose to her, eh? CULCH. That is certainly my intention; have you any objection to offer? PODB. Only that I mean to propose too. I dare say my chances are as good as yours--even now. CULCH. I doubt it, my dear fellow; however, don't let _me_ discourage you. PODB. I don't intend to. (_The figure of_ MISS PRENDERGAST _is seen to pass the glazed doors, and move slowly across the Musik-saal; both rush_ _to the door, and look after her._) She's gone out into the balcony. 'Jove, I'll go too, and get it over! CULCH. I should not advise you to do so. It is possible she may have gone there with the--er--expectation of being joined by--by somebody else. [_He smiles complacently._ PODB. You mean she gave you a _rendezvous_ there? I don't believe it! CULCH. I did not say so. But I am not prepared to deny that I have been waiting here with some such expectation. PODB. (_holding the door_). If you go, I go too--that's all. CULCH. Don't be absurd. You will only be _de trop,_ I assure you. PODB. _De trop_ or not, I mean going--she shall choose between us. CULCH. (_turning pale_). I suppose you intend to enlighten her as to my--er--little flirtation (before I knew _her_) with Miss Trotter? Do it, Podbury, do it--if you think you'll gain any good by it!