GEORGE. We've trapped you, my lord. LORD JOHN. I know what I want. I love your sister. ANN. I don't like you . . but if you're good and I'm good we shall get on. GEORGE. Why shouldn't one marry politically? LORD JOHN. [_In_ ANN'S _ear_.] I love you. ANN. No . . no . . no . . no . . no . . [_Discovering in this an echo of her father, she stops short._] GEORGE. We're a cold-blooded family. LORD JOHN. I don't think so. GEORGE. I married for love. LORD JOHN. Who doesn't? But, of course there should be other reasons. GEORGE. You won't receive my wife. LORD JOHN. Here's your sister. LADY COTTESHAM _comes from the direction of the house_. SARAH. Back again? LORD JOHN. You see. _From the other side appears_ MR. TATTON. MR. TATTON. As you all seem to be here I don't mind interrupting. GEORGE. [_Hailing him._] Well . . neighbour? MR. TATTON. Come . . come . . what's a little fighting more or less! GEORGE. Bravo, English sentiment . . relieves a deal of awkwardness. _The two shake hands._ SARAH. [_Who by this has reached_ LORD JOHN.] . . And back so soon? ANN. Lord John asks to marry me. LORD JOHN. Yes. MR. TATTON. I guessed so . . give me a bit of romance! SARAH. [_Suavely._] This is perhaps a little sudden, my dear Lord John. Papa may naturally be a little shocked. GEORGE. Not at all, Sarah. MR. TATTON. How's the wound? GEORGE. Not serious . . nothing's serious. SARAH. You are very masterful, wooing sword in hand. ANN. George and I have explained to Lord John that we are all most anxious to marry me to him and he doesn't mind-- LORD JOHN. Being made a fool of. I love-- ANN. I will like you. GEORGE. Charming cynicism, my dear Sarah. MR. TATTON. Oh, Lord! ANN. [_To her affianced._] Good-bye now. LORD JOHN. When do I see you? ANN. Papa says soon. LORD JOHN. Very soon, please. Tatton, my friend, Brighton's no nearer. MR. TATTON. Lady Cottesham . . Miss Leete . . I kiss your hands. LORD JOHN. [_Ebulliently clapping_ GEORGE _on the back_.] Look more pleased. [_Then he bends over_ LADY COTTESHAM'S _hand_.] Lady Charlie . . my service to you . . all. Ann. [_And he takes_ ANN'S _hand to kiss_.] ANN. If I can think better of all this, I shall. Good-bye. _She turns away from him. He stands for a moment considering her, but follows_ TATTON _away through the orchard_. GEORGE _and_ SARAH _are watching their sister, who then comments on her little affair with life_. ANN. I'm growing up. [_Then with a sudden tremor._] Sally, don't let me be forced to marry. GEORGE. Force of circumstances, my dear Ann. ANN. Outside things. Why couldn't I run away from this garden and over the hills? . . I suppose there's something on the other side of the hills. SARAH. You'd find yourself there . . and circumstances. ANN. So I'm trapped as well as that Lord John. SARAH. What's the injury? ANN. I'm taken by surprise and I know I'm ignorant and I think I'm learning things backwards.