re.

MRS. H. But we shall still have the power to disclose that secret
at any time.

DAWKER. Yeh! But things might happen here you could never bring
home to him. You can't trust a man like that. He isn't goin' to
forgive me, I know.

MRS. H. [Regarding him keenly] But if he signs, we couldn't
honourably----

DAWKER. No, ma'am, you couldn't; and I'm sure I don't want to do
that girl a hurt. I just mention it because, of course, you can't
guarantee that it doesn't get out.

MRS. H. Not absolutely, I suppose.

[A look passes between them, which neither of them has quite
sanctioned.]

[There's his car. It always seems to make more noise than any
other.]

DAWKER. He'll kick and flounder--but you leave him to ask what you
want, ma'am; don't mention this [He puts the deed back into his
pocket]. The Centry's no mortal good to him if he's not going to
put up works; I should say he'd be glad to save what he can.

[MRS. HILLCRIST inclines her head. FELLOWS enters Left.]

FELLOWS. [Apologetically] Mr. Hornblower, ma'am; by appointment,
he says.

MRS. H. Quite right, Fellows.

[HORNBLOWER comes in, and FELLOWS goes out.]

HORNBLOWER. [Without salutation] I've come to ask ye point bleak
what ye mean by writing me these letters. [He takes out two
letters.] And we'll discus it in the presence of nobody, if ye,
please.

MRS. H. Mr. Dawker knows all that I know, and more.

HORNBLOWER. Does he? Very well! Your second note says that my
daughter-in-law has lied to me. Well, I've brought her, and what
ye've got to say--if it's not just a trick to see me again--ye'll
say to her face. [He takes a step towards the window.]

MRS. H. Mr. Hornblower, you had better, decide that after hearing
what it is--we shall be quite ready to repeat it in her presence;
but we want to do as little harm as possible.

HORNBLOWER. [Stopping] Oh! ye do! Well, what lies have ye been
hearin'? Or what have ye made up? You and Mr. Dawker? Of course
ye know there's a law of libel and slander. I'm, not the man to
stop at that.

MRS. H. [Calmly] Are you familiar with the law of divorce, Mr.
Hornblower?

HORNBLOWER. [Taken aback] No, I'm not. That is-----.

MRS. H. Well, you know that misconduct is required. And I suppose
you've heard that cases are arranged.

HORNBLOWER. I know it's all very shocking--what about it?

MRS. H. When cases are arranged, Mr. Hornblower, t