Baron. (_Sitting on sofa beside her._) It must be de climate keep you so moist. (_Drawing closer._) I knew a man, he lives in your Manchester, and--(_goes on talking to Mrs. R. but is not heard._) (_Allen goes up and joins Col. Dex. up l. c. and Clara. After a little while Col. Dex. appropriates him, leaving Clara a little to r.of them unnoticed. Guss. continues talking to Deb. Deb. evidently bored and anxious to get away. Guss. trying to be very agreeable. At this point when all the others are occupied, Luke r. beckons Clara to him and she crosses. Their conversation is in eager undertone and they watch to see that no one is noticing them._) Luke. Have you got him to join yet? Clara. No--he kicks against it. Luke. If his name isn’t down in the list of directors before Monday I shall be arrested. Clara. Can’t you get away? Luke. No, I’m watched night and day. If he joins, the company will float and it will be all right. Clara. I shall be seeing him alone this morning. I will try again. Luke. And keep to plain gold and diamonds for presents. Those fallal things (_touching her bracelet_) are no good. Don’t fetch ten per cent, of their value. Deb. (_Part of the conversation between herself and Guss. Abstractedly, her attention being fixed on Luke and Clara._) Ha, ha! that was very funny. (_Guss. r. with Deb. looks at her in amazement._) Luke. (_Down r._) There’s that milkmaid watching us--don’t look around, answer as though I had been proposing to you--that will account for our talking together. (_In a louder but still undertone._) Is there no hope for me? Clara. (_Down r.--smiling._) None, Luke--please don’t refer to the subject again. I like you--respect you--will be a sister to you--but love-- Luke. (_Grinning._) Yes, it’s that Rollitt that you love. (_Deb., followed by Guss., has moved away to window._) Clara. Mr. Cranbourne, you have no right-- Luke. (_Who has been watching Deb._) Chuck it up, it’s all right, she’s gone to the window. Clara. I don’t suppose we’ve deceived her very much, she’s a sharp little minx. Get these men away. (_Clara takes up book, and standing, toys with it up r. front of r.c. table._) Baron. (_Finishing._) She never leave her bed for eighteen years--she take dree dozes--den she get up and go for a dree mile walk. Mrs. R. (_Rising._) Lor! It must have been quite a change for her. Baron. (_Rising._) Ja. It vas a miragle. (_Turning and seeing Luke beside him._) Ha, my dear boy, ready? Luke. (_Crosses to Baron._) Ready and off. Allen. (_Coming down c. followed by Dex._) Oh, are you three going? (_Baron goes c._) Luke. Yes, I know you’ll be glad to be rid of us. (_Laughing._) Allen. Well, I have (_looking at watch_) one or two little things to do this morning. (_Baron goes up c._) Dex. Well, look here, Allen, I’m just going to have a quiet weed in the smoking room till you’re ready. See? Allen. Oh, it be a billiard room now, thee know. Luke. Oh. have you had a table put up?