permission of Miss Phoebe and Miss Susan I will make myself more
acquaint with her disorder presently. (_He is desirous to be alone._)
But we must not talk lest we disturb her.

MISS FANNY. You suggest our retiring, sir?

VALENTINE. Nay, Miss Fanny----

MISS FANNY. You are very obliging; but I think, Henrietta----

MISS HENRIETTA (_rising_). Yes, Fanny.

(_No doubt they are the more ready to depart that they wish to inform_
MISS WILLOUGHBY _at once of these strange doings. As they go_, MISS
SUSAN _and_ MISS PHOEBE _return, and the adieux are less elaborate than
usual. Neither visitors nor hostesses quite know what to say_. MISS
SUSAN _is merely relieved to see them leave, but_ MISS PHOEBE _has read
something in their manner that makes her uneasy._)

PHOEBE. Why have they departed so hurriedly, sir? They--they did not
go in to see Livvy?

VALENTINE. No.

(_She reads danger in his face._)

PHOEBE. Why do you look at me so strangely?

VALENTINE (_somewhat stern_). Miss Phoebe, I desire to see Miss Livvy.

PHOEBE. Impossible.

VALENTINE. Why impossible? They tell me strange stories about no
one's seeing her. Miss Phoebe, I will not leave this house until I
have seen her.

PHOEBE. You cannot. (_But he is very determined, and she is afraid of
him._) Will you excuse me, sir, while I talk with Susan behind the
door?

(_The sisters go guiltily into the bedroom, and_ CAPTAIN BROWN _after
some hesitation rings for_ PATTY.)

VALENTINE. Patty, come here. Why is this trick being played upon me?

PATTY (_with all her wits about her_). Trick, sir! Who would dare?

VALENTINE. I know, Patty, that Miss Phoebe has been Miss Livvy all the
time.

PATTY. I give in!

VALENTINE. Why has she done this?

PATTY (_beseechingly_). Are you laughing, sir?

VALENTINE. I am very far from laughing.

PATTY (_turning on him_). 'Twas you that began it, all by not knowing
her in the white gown.

VALENTINE. Why has this deception been kept up so long?

PATTY. Because you would not see through it. Oh, the wicked
denseness. She thought you were infatuate with Miss Livvy because she
was young and silly.

VALENTINE. It is infamous.

PATTY. I will not have you call her names. 'Twas all playful
innocence at first, and now she is so feared of you she is weeping her
soul to death, and all I do I cannot rouse her. 'I ha' a follower in
the kitchen, ma'am,' says I, to infuriate her. 'Give him a g