_Mrs. de Trappe._ Then I shall not see him. Tell him I am angry, and give my love to Julia. I hope she does not disturb you when you are in the drawing-room and have visitors. So difficult to keep a grown-up girl out of the drawing-room. Where can those men be? [_Enter_ Lord Doldrummond, Mr. Featherleigh, _and_ Mr. Banish.] Ah! here they are. Now, come along; we haven't a moment to lose. Good-bye, Edith. [_Exeunt_ (_after wishing their adieux_) Mrs. de Trappe, Mr. Featherleigh, _and_ Mr. Banish, Lord Doldrummond _following them_.] _Lady Dol._ [_Stands alone in the middle of the room, repeating._] Cyril and--Sarah Sparrow! My son and Sarah Sparrow! And he has met her through the one woman for whom I have been wrong enough to forget my prejudices. What a punishment! [Julia _enters cautiously. She is so unusually beautiful that she barely escapes the terrible charge of sublimity. But there is a certain peevishness in her expression which adds a comfortable smack of human nature to her classic features._] _Julia._ I thought mamma would never go. I have been hiding in your boudoir ever since I heard she was here. _Lady Dol._ Was Cyril with you? _Julia._ Oh, no; he has gone out for a walk. _Lady Dol._ Tell me, dearest, have you and Cyril had any disagreement lately? Is there any misunderstanding? _Julia._ Oh, no. [_Sighs._] _Lady Dol._ I remember quite well that before I married Herbert he often suffered from the oddest moods of depression. Several times he entreated me to break off the engagement. His affection was so reverential that he feared he was not worthy of me. I assure you I had the greatest difficulty in overcoming his scruples, and persuading him that whatever his faults were I could help him to subdue them. _Julia._ But Cyril and I are not engaged. It is all so uncertain, so humiliating. _Lady Dol._ Men take these things for granted. If the truth were known, I daresay he already regards you as his wife. _Julia._ [_With an inspired air._] Perhaps that is why he treats me so unkindly. I have often thought that if he were my husband he could not be more disagreeable! He has not a word for me when I speak to him. He does not hear. Oh, Lady Doldrummond, I know what is the matter. He is in love, but I am not the one. You are all wrong. _Lady Dol._ No, no, no. He loves you; I am sure of it. Only be patient with him and it will come all right. Hush! is that his step? Stay here, darling, and I will go into my room and write letters. [_Exit, brushing the tears from her eyes._] [Butler _ushers in_ Mr. Mandeville. _Neither of them perceive Julia, who has gone to the window._] _Butler._ His Lordship will be down in half an hour, sir. He is now having his hair brushed. _Julia._ [_In surprise as she looks round._] Mr. Mandeville! [_Pause._] I hardly expected to meet you here. _Mandeville._ And why, may I ask? Julia. You know what Lady Doldrummond is. How did you overcome her scruples?