e downstairs. Then as we
came nearer the door you lowered your voice.

SIR W.: Indeed, _no_!

LADY FLO: Yes, yes, you did, dear!

SIR W.: No, no, I didn't, dear!

LADY FLO: Don't tell fibs, darling.

SIR W.: You want to know too much, my dear, good Flo.

LADY FLO: Too much? Oh, no! That would be impossible! However, I know
you will tell me the whole truth by-and-by.

SIR W.: First let me know what you have to say.

LADY FLO: Well, I'm in the deepest distress about the two young people.
They seem to be at terrible loggerheads. Now, perhaps Jem confided the
secret of his unhappy married life to you?

SIR W.: He never said a word about it! (_Bites his lip._)

LADY FLO: Nevertheless, I assure you they lead a cat-and-dog existence.

SIR W.: Oh, dear, dear! Is that so?

LADY FLO: Why, of course! You saw them quarrelling yourself. But still I
have hopes we may be able to arrange matters a little better for them.
Who knows but what we may see them re-united before we leave this house?

SIR W.: We will do our best to help them, poor young things!

LADY FLO: Yes! Poor young things!

SIR W.: And I've no doubt we shall succeed.

LADY FLO: At the same time, it seems to me as if the abyss between them
_may_ widen.

SIR W.: That may be so. The abyss _may_ widen! (_Indicates an imaginary
abyss, at which LADY FLO shakes her head_).

LADY FLO: If a man and woman aren't made for one another----

SIR W.: Like you and me. I pointed that out to Jem.

LADY FLO: I'm afraid it didn't affect him as it ought. (_With a
sentimental sigh_) The only consolation we can derive from the
misfortune of our nephew and niece is that we are happier than they!

SIR W.: Clever little woman! (_Kisses her._)

LADY FLO: Dear old Will! (_Kisses him. Then with a sudden change of
tone_) But now I _must_ hear what it was Jem was saying to you when I
came into the room! You answered that "of course you wouldn't tell his
aunt for the wide world." That must have been a _facon de parler_!

[Illustration: SIR W.: "THE ABYSS MAY WIDEN!" (INDICATES AN IMAGINARY
ABYSS.)]

SIR W.: Of course! of course! And you shall know all about it as soon as
I have asked Jem's leave. Meanwhile we must attend to the fates of these
unhappy young people. We had better first try to show them their
grievous fault as gently as possible, and if gentleness does not
answer----

LADY FLO: Oh, yes! Gentleness is all very well! But I tell you quite
candidly, Will, that