SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Retaining_ OTTOLINE's _hand--to her, earnestly._] My dear Madame de
Chaumie----

OTTOLINE.

Yes?

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Bracing himself._] A little bird brought the news to me shortly after
I left England. [_She lowers her eyes._] I--I congratulate you and
Mackworth--I congratulate you from the core of my heart.

OTTOLINE.

[_In a quiet voice._] Thank you, dear Sir Timothy.

SIR TIMOTHY.

May you both be as happy as you deserve to be, and even happier!

PHILIP.

[_Laughing._] Ha, ha, ha!

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Squeezing her hand._] Good-bye for the present.

OTTOLINE.

[_Smilingly._] Good-bye. [_He passes her and joins_ PHILIP. _Unseen by_
OTTOLINE_--who proceeds to loosen her coat at the settee on the
right--_ PHILIP _again gives_ SIR TIMOTHY _a vigorous hand-shake._ SIR
TIMOTHY _responds to it disconsolately, and is following_ PHILIP _into
the vestibule when he hears_ OTTOLINE _call to him._] Sir Tim!

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Turning._] Hallo!

OTTOLINE.

[_Lightly._] Is your car here?

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Brightening._] It is.

OTTOLINE.

You may give me a lift to Bond Street, if your business with your
lawyers won't keep you long.

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Emphatically._] It will _not_. [_Beaming._] I told you a lie. I've
_no_ business with my lawyers. I came here expressly to improve my
acquaintance with the man who's to be your husband, and for no other
purpose.

[_They all laugh merrily._

OTTOLINE.

Ha, ha, ha! [_To_ SIR TIMOTHY.] Wait for me in South Square, then. I
sha'n't be many minutes.

SIR TIMOTHY.

[_Going into the vestibule._] Ah, I'd wait an eternity!

[PHILIP _and_ SIR TIMOTHY _shake hands once more, and
then_ PHILIP _lets_ SIR TIMOTHY _out._

PHILIP.

[_As he shuts the outer door._] By George, he's a splendid chap! [_He
comes back into the room, closes the vestibule door, and advances to_
OTTOLINE _and stands before her humbly._] Oh, Ottoline--oh, my dear
girl! Shall I go