Deb. (_Left alone stands r.a moment without speaking._) What right has she to come down here and take him away? She doesn’t love him. Couldn’t she have found enough fine gentlemen in London to amuse her? I don’t believe she’s a good woman, and I hate her. (_Stamps her foot._) She shan’t have him--she--(_bursts into quiet tears and, slipping down on ground, buries her face in chair by fire--pause--after a few seconds Luke Cranbourne appears in door c. front r., Mike Stratton behind him. Luke pauses on threshold and coughs. Deb. hastily rises, trying to hide her tears and stands r. Luke comes forward slowly, followed by Mike at some distance._) Luke. (_After pause, coming forward r.c._) I--beg pardon--there was nobody about. Are Mrs. Rollitt and Mr. Rollitt at home? Deb. Yes, they are at home. I will go and find them. (_Crosses to l._) Who shall I say it is? Luke. (_r.c._) Ah, thank you very much, my dear. Would you say Mr. Cranbourne--Mr. Luke Cranbourne and Mr. Richard Hanningford? Deb. (_Amazed._) Dick Hanningford! Luke. (_Smiling._) You know the name? Deb. Old Mr. Hanningford’s son? Why, we were only speaking of him just this instant, and wondering when he’d come back. (_To Luke hesitatingly._) Are--are you-- Luke. No--this is Mr. Hanningford. (_Turns to Mike, who stands awkward and shy l.c. looking at the ground._) Did you know him? (_Laughs._) Deb. Oh, I’m Miss Deacon--Miss Deborah Deacon. We were school-fellows, you know. (_Timidly approaching Mike with outstretched hand._) I am very glad to see you Mr.--Mr. Hanningford. Mike. Thank you, Miss--I’m very pleased to see you. Luke. (_Sitting r._) I suppose you hardly recognize our friend? (_Watches her intently without her noticing it. Mike has turned away again, and looks down, flicking leg with cane._) Deb. (_Hesitating._) Um! (_Laughs._) Well, he’s certainly altered since we used to go to school together. But yes--(_examining his face_)--there’s something of the old face left, I think. Luke. We only arrived from America last night, traveling hard all the time. Pretty nearly worked me to death. Dick has--(_with a yawn_)--but there, I suppose I should have hurried up pretty smart myself if I’d been coming home to a fortune. Deb. You are staying in the village then, I suppose? Luke. Yes, we’ve put up at Colonel Dexter’s--my uncle’s--slow place. (_Laughing._) But better than the inn apparently. Deb. Oh. then you are the--Miss Dexter’s cousin that Allen--(_pauses hesitating_)--was--was speaking of? Luke. Oh, the young fellow that was there this afternoon--was that Allen? (_With a would-be playful laugh._) And who’s Allen, eh? Deb. (_A little stiffly._) Allen is Mr. Rollitt. Luke. Oh, I wish I’d known that this afternoon. Dick’s been dying to see him and his mother all day. I wanted him to wait till the morning, but he would come down to-night.