-(Reading.) Great Scott!
"Bond street. Darling, Come to me at once! I have told father
all about it; he is not so angry as I expected! Remember what
you said last night! Come--straight to him as you promised
and explain all.--Your loving LOTTIE. P. S.--If you don't
come, I shall call on you, as of course there will be no
occasion for secrecy _now_, so you won't want me to keep
away!" This is a nice state of things! I must go to her.
Where does she live? (Looking at letter.) Bond street! It's
an elongated thoroughfare, but never mind, I _must_ find her
or her appearance here would cause me to contemplate suicide!
(He puts down letter on table; springs up and down as if looking
for something; he unconsciously puts on hat.) First, I must go to
Bond street, and apologize to this "Lottie," then I must call on
the passionate poet and explain--no, I'm mixing them up. It's the
poet I have to apologize to and the girl I have got to keep quiet!
Dibbs, where is my hat? (Looks all over room.)

DIBBS. I gave it to you, sir--why, you have got it on!

SEL. So I have! (While they have been looking for hat, MRS.
SELWYN has come in L. U. E. and carelessly taken up open
letter SELWYN put down; as she reads her expression changes
from indifference to anger. SELWYN turns and sees her, then
stands aghast. Music piano until end of act; then forte.)

MRS. S. (severely). Whose is this? (Holding up letter, C.)

SEL. Mine! I mean--yours! (DIBBS laughs; SELWYN pelts him.)

MRS. S. (sobbing). You men are all alike, I'll have
a divorce!

SEL. (at his wits end). Allow me to explain!

DIBBS (aside). Leave it to me! (Crosses to C. aloud.) Please,
mum, _it's mine_!

MRS. S. (drying her tears). I believe neither of you!

SEL. (indignantly). Dibbs, how dare you tell your mistress
such a villainous falsehood! You will end your days in an
editor's office if you go on like this. My dear, I will tell
you the _truth_--it's _not_ mine, but Fred's!

MRS. S. Prove it!

SEL. Look at the envelope! (Picking up envelope from floor,
where he has previously thrown it.) Same hand, see! (Aside.)
Poor Fred! I have had to throw you overboard to save the ship!

MRS. S. (examining envelope and letter). Yes, it is the
same writing. The reprobate! _Now_, I suppose you don't want
Grace to marry him! (Bitterly.)

SEL. Yes, I do!

MRS. S. (firmly). Mr. Bellamy leaves this house to-morrow!

SEL. He shan't!

MRS. S. He shall!