down on my knees to you?

OTTOLINE.

[_In a subdued tone._] If you do, I shall have to kneel to _you_, Phil.

PHILIP.

[_Slowly folding her in his arms._] Ah! Ah! Ah! [_In her ear._] What a
night I've spent!

OTTOLINE.

[_Almost inaudibly._] And I!

[_He seats her upon the settee on the right and sits
beside her, linking his hand in hers._

PHILIP.

How merciful this is of you! I've just sent you a letter by Robbie
Roope, begging you to see me; you've missed him. [_Smiling._] It isn't
as eloquent as some I started writing at five o'clock this morning.
Would you like to hear it? [_She nods. He recites his note tenderly._]
"Forgive me. I forgive you. When may I come to you?" That's all.

OTTOLINE.

_Isn't_ that eloquent, Phil?

PHILIP.

[_Smiling again._] It's concise--and as long as you forgive
me--[_eyeing her with a shadow of fear_] you're _sure_ you've forgiven
me?

OTTOLINE.

Sure.

PHILIP.

[_Persistently._] Without reserve?

OTTOLINE.

Should I be here--[_indicating their proximity_] and _here_--if I
hadn't?

PHILIP.

[_Pressing her hand to his lips ardently, and then freeing her
shoulders from her coat._] Take this off----

OTTOLINE.

[_Gently resisting._] Poor Sir Timothy----!

PHILIP.

[_In high spirits._] Oh, a little exercise won't do Sir Timothy any
harm! [_Helping her to slip her arms out of her coat._] Dash it, you
might have let _me_ escort you to Bond Street!

OTTOLINE.

No, no; your work----

PHILIP.

[_His brow clouding._] W-w-work----?

OTTOLINE.

You mustn't lose your morning's work.

[_There is a short pause, and then he rises and moves a
few steps away from her. With an impassive countenance,
she fingers the buttons of her gloves._

PHILIP.

[_Stroking the pattern of the carpet with his foot._] Otto----

OTTOLINE.

[_Looking up._] Yes, Phil?

PH