nter_ MRS. LORRIMER, _with a favour, lamb and trumpet_.

MRS. LORRIMER. Oh, here you men are! If you think this is going to be
allowed, you are very much mistaken! What do men think we ask them to
parties for? Eh? Anyway, a cotillion is a leap-year dance; on such an
occasion you are our natural prey! Come, sir! [_Pretending to blow
trumpet._

DOUGLAS. No. [_Smiling apologetically._] Postpone my pleasure till a
little later in the evening, will you? Don't be angry with me; I want
to have a few words with Mr. Wolton,--then I'll come and give _all_ my
favours to you!

MRS. LORRIMER. That sounds attractive; I'll let you off. [_Makes lamby
squeak. Smiling, turns to_ FLETCHER.] But I won't let you off.

FLETCHER. [_Smiling._] _Don't_, please! I'm very happy to be your
_consolation_ prize. [_Takes lamb. Music._

MRS. LORRIMER. I'm a dangerous woman to make that remark to. You'd
better be careful, or I might take you literally at your word.

FLETCHER. Oh, if you only would! [_Pulls lamb's head._

MRS. LORRIMER. What a charming speech. [_She and_ FLETCHER _go into
ball-room and off._ FLETCHER _makes lamb squeak_. MRS. WOLTON, _her
arms full of a set of gay favours, crosses the ball-room_; DOUGLAS
_sees her and takes a step or two towards her, then waits till she has
finished speaking to the girl_. MRS. WOLTON _turns, and_ DOUGLAS
_addresses her_.

DOUGLAS. Mrs. Wolton, is Mr. Wolton in the ball-room?

MRS. WOLTON. No, I think he's in the smoking-room.--Aren't you going
to dance? [_Coming into room._

DOUGLAS. Not just yet--later-- [_Half bows apologetically. At the same
moment, the music swells and the procession of dancers, in couples,
dance in five or six couples into the front room, the line curving
away to right to suggest that there are very many more couples in the
ball-room out of sight. As they dance, they are laughing and
talking--the first couple turns, the other couples making bridges
under which the first couple goes, and passes into ball-room and off,
followed by each couple the same. Music softens._ MRS. WOLTON _has
drawn to one side, when the dancers came in. In this dance, scarfs are
used by dancers._

DOUGLAS. Mr. Wolton there?

MRS. WOLTON. [_Mildly surprised._] He?

DOUGLAS. I want to see Mr. Wolton very much to-night--_now_. It is a
matter of the greatest importance. [_Enter_ SERVANT _from ball-room._

MRS. WOLTON. Where is Mr. Wolton, Howes?

SERVANT. He has gone to his bedroom, m'm. [_Cro