nths more, and I want to _live_! I want to
talk on the telephone to people, and keep on changing my clothes, and
recite--and--and--_Philip_! You _don't_ mean to say those are _marrons
glaces_ you've got there?

_Furness._ Rather. Don't you like 'em?

_Diana._ How dare you? You _know_ the doctors won't let me touch them.

_Furness._ My dear, you never told me what the doctors said to you. What
did they say?

_Diana._ Well, anyhow, they said, "No more _marrons glaces_."

_Furness._ Really, Diana, how could I know?

_Diana._ You ought to have guessed. You've insulted me and I'm going
home. And I shan't run away with you now. (_Picks up her cloak and goes
to the door._) Er--if I _should_ change my mind in the morning
I'll--er--telephone.

_Next morning._

_Furness_ (_at the telephone_). Yes--yes--no, Lorenzo--both ways. What?
Oh, I beg your pardon, I thought it was--is it you, Diana?... You _will_
come? Good.

_Enter_ John Staffurth.

_Staffurth._ Good morning. (_Looking at his watch._) I want a little
talk with you if you aren't busy,

_Furness._ Certainly. (_Handing box._) Won't you begin a cigarette?

_Staffurth_ (_taking out case_). Thanks, I'll begin one of my own.
(_Does so._) Now then. My sister-in-law--or cousin or--anyhow, my friend
Miss--or Mrs.--Cullen, Barbara Cullen, who--er--is still with us, told
me some days ago that you were about to elope with my wife. Is that so?

_Furness._ Yes.

_Staffurth._ Yes. I ought to have spoken to you about it before, but I
have been very busy lately at the House. The Government is bringing in
its Bill for the Abolition of Telephones on the Stage, and it is
necessary for the full strength of the Opposition to be there. As I said
in my speech, any such Bill would, to take a case, ruin Mr. TEMPLE
THURSTON'S new play at the Haymarket, and recent by-elections have shown
that the country was---- However, I need not bother you with that. The
point is that I have at last managed to get away to see you, and I want
to know what it is you propose to do.

_Furness._ I'm going to send in my papers and take your wife away with
me.

_Staffurth._ Ah! Then perhaps before you ruin your career I'd better
tell you what the doctors say about her, She is not----

_Furness_ (_impatiently_). My dear chap, I know. She told me last night.
But it's all right, I don't much care for them myself.

_Staffurth._----not likely to live for more than eighteen months.

_Furness._ My God!