you found the bag with my surplice?

_He goes out with_ THOMAS, _speaking._ SIR WILFRID _moves at
once to_ VIDA. JOHN, _moving to a better position, watches
the door._

SIR WILFRID. [_To_ VIDA.] You're just the person I most want to see!

VIDA. [_With affected iciness._] Oh, no, Sir Wilfrid, Cynthia isn't
here yet! [_She moves to the table, and_ JOHN, _his eyes on the door,
coming toward her, she speaks to him with obvious sweetness._] Jack,
dear, I never was so ravished to see any one.

SIR WILFRID. [_Taken aback._] By Jove!

VIDA. [_Very sweet._] I knew I should find you here!

JOHN. [_Annoyed but civil._] Now don't do that!

VIDA. [_Sweeter than ever._] Jack! [_They sit down._

JOHN. [_Civil but plain spoken._] Don't do it!

VIDA. [_In a voice dripping with honey._] Do what, Jack?

JOHN. Touch me with your voice! I have troubles enough of my own. [_He
sits not far from her; the table between them._

VIDA. And I know who your troubles are! Cynthia!

[_From this moment_ VIDA _abandons_ JOHN _as an object of the
chase and works him into her other game._

JOHN. I hate her. I don't know why I came.

VIDA. You came, dear, because you couldn't stay away--you're in love
with her.

JOHN. All right, Vida, what I feel may be _love_--but all I can say
is, if I could get even with Cynthia Karslake--

VIDA. You can, dear--it's as easy as powdering one's face; all you
have to do is to be too nice to me!

JOHN. [_Looking at her inquiringly._] Eh!

VIDA. Don't you realize she's jealous of you? Why did she come to my
house this morning? She's jealous--and all you have to do--

JOHN. If I can make her wince, I'll make love to you till the Heavenly
cows come home!

VIDA. Well, you see, my dear, if you make love to me it will
[_Delicately indicating_ SIR WILFRID.] cut both ways at once!

JOHN. Eh,--what! Not Cates-Darby? [_Starting._] Is that Cynthia?

VIDA. Now don't get rattled and forget to make love to me.

JOHN. I've got the jumps. [_Trying to follow her instructions._] Vida,
I adore you.

VIDA. Oh, you must be more convincing; that won't do at all.

JOHN. [_Listening._] Is that she now?

[MATTHEW _comes in and passes to the inner room._

VIDA. It's Matthew. And, Jack, dear, you'd best get the hang of it
before Cynthia comes. You might tell me all about your divorce. That's
a sympathetic subject. Were you able to undermine it?

JOHN. No. I've got a wire from my lawy