MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

[Outside.] Hi! Hi!

VALENTINE WHITE.

That fellow was born to hail an omnibus.

[IMOGEN appears.]

IMOGEN.

[Not seeing VALENTINE.] Will he be long? [She encounters him.] Oh! You are not neglecting your duties, I hope, Valentine?

VALENTINE WHITE.

I shall follow the others in the cart. Your note was marked "urgent."

IMOGEN.

Was it?

VALENTINE WHITE.

[Showing her letter.] "Urgent."

IMOGEN.

What a thoughtless habit it is to mark all one's letters "urgent." All I wanted to say to you is this--but it isn't urgent.

VALENTINE WHITE.

No, no--I understand that.

IMOGEN.

I merely had a foolish desire to be the first to acquaint you of my--undeserved happiness.

VALENTINE WHITE.

What happiness don't you deserve?

IMOGEN.

The happiness of becoming Lady Colin Macphail, Valentine.

VALENTINE WHITE.

Oh. Is that--all?

IMOGEN.

That's all--just at present.

VALENTINE WHITE.

Hah! You'll be a fine lady now, past recovery.

IMOGEN.

I shall endeavour to adequately fill the station of life to which fate has called me.

VALENTINE WHITE.

All that sweet simplicity of yours in London was purely an a.s.sumption, I suppose?

IMOGEN.

Things are--what they appear.

VALENTINE WHITE.

But you have your heart's desire at last, I presume?

IMOGEN.

I--I presume I have.

VALENTINE WHITE.

[Burying his head in his hands.] Oh!

IMOGEN.

What are you going to do next?

VALENTINE WHITE.

j.a.pan.

IMOGEN.

Nice part of j.a.pan?

VALENTINE WHITE.

The murderous districts.

IMOGEN.