Don't mention it.

PHILIP.

It's true, Ottoline and I _have_ had a bad fall out. [_Keenly._] Did
Filson give you any particulars----?

SIR TIMOTHY.

I gathered 'twas something arising out of a book of yours----

PHILIP.

Y-y-yes; a silly affair in which I was utterly in the wrong. I lost my
accursed temper--made a disgraceful exhibition of myself. [_Touching_
SIR TIMOTHY's _arm._] I _will_ be quite straight with you,
Barradell--Robbie Roope has just gone to her with a note from me. I
don't want to pain you; but Robbie and I hope that, after a night's
rest--[_The bell rings in the vestibule._] Excuse me--my servant isn't
in. [_He goes into the vestibule, leaving the door open._ SIR TIMOTHY
_picks up his hat. On opening the outer door,_ PHILIP _confronts_
OTTOLINE.] Otto----!

OTTOLINE.

[_In the doorway, giving him both her hands._] Are you alone,
Philip?

PHILIP.

[_Drawing her into the vestibule, his eyes sparkling._] No. [_With a
motion of his head._] Sir Timothy Barradell----

[OTTOLINE _passes_ PHILIP _and enters the room, holding
out her hand to_ SIR TIMOTHY. _Her eyes are black-rimmed
from sleeplessness; but whatever asperity she has
displayed overnight has disappeared, and she is again
full of softness and charm._

OTTOLINE.

Sir Tim!

PHILIP.

[_Shutting the outer door--breathing freely._] Kind of Sir Timothy to
look me up, isn't it?

OTTOLINE.

[_To_ SIR TIMOTHY.] _Vous etes un vaurien!_ When did you return?

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Who has flung his cigarette into the grate--crestfallen._] The day
before yesterday.

OTTOLINE.

Then I mustn't scold you for not having been to see us yet.
[_Wonderingly._] You find time to call on Mr. Mackworth, though!

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_With a gulp._] I--I was on my way to my solicitors, who are in
Raymond Buildings, and I remembered that I knew Mackworth years ago----

PHILIP.

[_Loitering near the vestibule door, impatient for_ SIR TIMOTHY's
_departure._] When I was a rollicking man-about-town, eh, Barradell!