MISS L. (_quickly_). Who tells you that? JEAN. Several people have told me. MISS L. Well, you should be very careful how you believe what you hear. JEAN (_passionately_). You _know_ it's true. MISS L. I know that it's possible to be mistaken. JEAN. I see! You're trying to shield him---- MISS L. Why should I--what is it to me? JEAN (_with tears_). Oh--h, how you must love him! MISS L. Listen to me---- JEAN (_rising_). What's the use of your going on denying it? (MISS LEVERING, _about to break in, is silenced._) _Geoffrey doesn't._ (JEAN, _struggling to command her feelings, goes to window._ VIDA LEVERING _relinquishes an impulse to follow, and sits left centre._ JEAN _comes slowly back with her eyes bent on the floor, does not lift them till she is quite near_ VIDA. _Then the girl's self-absorbed face changes._) Oh, don't look like that! I shall bring him back to you! (_Drops on her knees beside the other's chair._) MISS L. You would be impertinent (_softening_) if you weren't a romantic child. You can't bring him back. JEAN. Yes, he---- MISS L. But there's something you _can_ do---- JEAN. What? MISS L. Bring him to the point where he recognises that he's in our debt. JEAN. In _our_ debt? MISS L. In debt to women. He can't repay the one he robbed---- JEAN (_wincing and rising from her knees_). Yes, yes. MISS L. (_sternly_). No, he can't repay the dead. But there are the living. There are the thousands with hope still in their hearts and youth in their blood. Let him help _them_. Let him be a Friend to Women. JEAN (_rising on a wave of enthusiasm_). Yes, yes--I understand. That too! (_The door opens. As_ STONOR _enters with_ LADY JOHN, _he makes a slight gesture towards the two as much as to say, "You see."_) JEAN (_catching sight of him_). Thank you! LADY JOHN (_in a clear, commonplace tone to_ JEAN). Well, you rather gave us the slip. Vida, I believe Mr. Stonor wants to see you for a few minutes (_glances at watch_)--but I'd like a word with you first, as I must get back. (_To_ STONOR.) Do you think the car--your man said something about re-charging. STONOR (_hastily_). Oh, did he?--I'll see about it. (_As_ STONOR _is going out he encounters the_ BUTLER. _Exit_ STONOR.) BUTLER. Mr. Trent has called, Miss, to take Miss Levering to the meeting. JEAN. Bring Mr. Trent into my sitting-room. I'll tell him--you can't go to-night. [_Exeunt_ BUTLER C., JEAN L. LADY JOHN (_hurriedly_). I know, my dear, _you're_ not aware of what that impulsive girl wants to insist on. MISS L. Yes, I am aware of it. LADY JOHN. But it isn't with your sanction, surely, that she goes on making this extraordinary demand. MISS L. (_slowly_). I didn't sanction it at first, but I've been thinking it over.