it? [_Smilingly._] Don't you congratulate us?

SOPHY.

C--certainly.

BASTLING.

Good. And--[_shaking hands with her_] thanks to _you_. [_Releasing her
hand._] Thanks.

SOPHY.

[_Nerving herself for her task._] Thanks!

BASTLING.

A million of 'em; What's the matter?

SOPHY.

Oh, nothing.

BASTLING.

Yes, there is. Come, out with it.

SOPHY.

Well--_thanks_! [_Tossing her head._] There isn't much in thanks.

BASTLING.

[_Puzzled._] Not much in thanks?

SOPHY.

[_Turning away, pouting._] _I_ think not.

BASTLING.

[_Smiling._] Oh, I know I owe a tremendous deal to the pretty
manicurist, and I don't intend to forget it. Just now I'm rather
hard-up, [_glancing towards the window_] but I shall be in funds before
long--

SOPHY.

[_Turning to him with genuine indignation._] Oh!

BASTLING.

What do you want, then?

SOPHY.

[_After a moment's hesitation, sidling up to him._] Not money.

BASTLING.

Not?

SOPHY.

A little more than plain thanks though.

BASTLING.

[_Looking into her eyes, laughing softly._] Ha, ha, ha!

SOPHY.

[_Slyly._] Ha, ha, ha!

BASTLING.

Thanks--differently expressed--? [_She plays with the lapel of his coat
and giggles. He takes her chin in his hand._] Ha, ha, ha! Sophy!

SOPHY.

Ha, ha!

[MURIEL _appears at the open window and enters the room noiselessly.
Seeing_ BASTLING _and_ SOPHY _together, she halts in surprise._

BASTLING.

[_Whose back is to the window._] I say--mind, no tales.

SOPHY.

[_Looking at_ MURIEL _steadily over_ BASTLING'S _shoulder._] Likely I'd
split on you, isn't it?

BASTLING.

Honour bright?

SOPHY.

Oh, if you've any doubt--

[_He raises her face to his and kisses her upon the lips warmly and
lingeringly. She goes back a step or two, still gazing fixedly at_
MURIEL.

BASTLING.

Eh--?

[_Following the direction of her eyes, he turns and encounters_ MURIEL.
_The three stand for a moment or two without movement._

BASTLING.

[_After the pause, speaking in a low voice, his eyes avoiding_
MURIEL'S.] Well--ha!--I suppose every man makes a big mistake at least
once in his life. I've made mine. At the same time, I--I--[_hurriedly_]
oh, I'll write.

[_With a slight, quick bow to_ MURIEL, _he wheels round sharply and goes
out._

SOPHY.

[_Wiping his kiss from her lips._] The wretch! the wretch!

[_The door-gong sounds._

MURIEL.

[_Covering her eyes with her hand and uttering a low moan._] Oh--!