_Lucas._ [_Comfortably seated._] Well, I will take myself off, only let me take myself off in my own way.

_Dolly._ It's useless your staying! Renie won't see you again.

_Lucas._ Won't she?

_Dolly._ No. She gave me a last message for you----

_Lucas._ Did she? Why didn't you give it to me?

_Dolly._ If I tell you, will you take yourself off?

_Lucas._ Yes, of course. What was her last message?

_Dolly._ She said "She should always value your n.o.ble devotion, and be proud that she had known you; but you must see how hopeless it was, and that she trusted you would go away at once and leave her to respect you, as you had always respected her!"

_Matt._ A very pretty, touching little adieu! Does her great credit.

Now, Lu! Cut it! Come, my boy!

[_Lifts him up off sofa._ LUCAS _gets up very reluctantly._

_Lucas._ Well, if I must go--good-night!

_Matt._ Good-night. [_Shaking hands._] I may see you to-morrow afternoon.

_Lucas._ Where?

_Matt._ I'm driving over to Aldershot to see Sir John. I shall look you up----

_Lucas._ I may not be there in the afternoon----

_Dolly._ Lucas, you're coming over here----

_Lucas._ No--no; I'm not. You shouldn't suspect me.

_Dolly._ It won't be the least use your coming----

_Lucas._ I know that. Well, good-bye, Doll----

_Dolly._ Good-bye. [_Shaking hands._

_Lucas._ [_Is going up to door slowly and reluctantly, turns._] I suppose if I were to give you my solemn promise I wouldn't see her, I couldn't shake down on that sofa.

_Dolly._ [_Sternly and decisively._] No!

_Lucas._ [_Goes a few more steps towards door, turns._] I suppose I couldn't see Mrs. Sturgess? [DOLLY _looks indignant._] Only to say good-bye.

_Dolly._ No! She was nearly undressed when I left her. She's asleep by now!

_Enter_ RENIE _fully dressed, looking very interesting and tearful.

Throughout the scene she preserves the air of a martyr._

_Dolly._ [_Indignantly._] Renie, you promised me you wouldn't come downstairs again!

_Renie._ Yes, dear, but I felt I couldn't rest under your father's unjust suspicion. [_Goes up to_ MATT, _seizes his hand sympathetically._] Dolly tells me you have been watching the friendship that all unconsciously has sprung up between Captain Wentworth and myself----

_Matt._ [_Uncomfortable._] Not exactly watching----

_Renie._ I feel you may have seen, or guessed something, that has given you a wrong impression.

_Matt._ No, no! I a.s.sure you----

_Renie._ If you have, I beg you to speak out and give us a chance of defending ourselves. Tell us exactly what you have seen, and what you suspect----

_Matt._ My dear Mrs. Sturgess, I haven't seen anything, and I don't suspect anything.

_Renie._ You really mean that?

_Matt._ Yes--yes----

_Renie._ [_Clasping his hand eagerly._] Thank you so much. Friendship between a man and a woman is _so_ misunderstood.

_Matt._ It is.

_Dolly._ Yes, Lucas had a friendship with a governess here which we all misunderstood--till afterwards.

_Lucas._ I say, Dolly, don't you----

_Renie._ Now that there is no chance of your misjudging our friendship, I don't mind saying---- [_Shows signs of breaking down._] You won't misunderstand me? [_Clinging to his hand._

_Matt._ No, no!

_Renie._ My life has not been altogether a happy one.

_Matt._ I'm sure it hasn't!

_Renie._ Under other circ.u.mstances--let that pa.s.s! [_Wrings_ MATT'S _hands._] Thank you, thank you! [_Goes to_ LUCAS.] Captain Wentworth, I shall always be proud to have known you.

_Dolly._ I've told him all that!

[MATT _hushes_ DOLLY _with a gesture._

_Renie._ I shall always cherish the memory of our friendship, but it might be misunderstood, and so [_breaking down, but bearing up with an effort_], you will behave like the gallant gentleman I know you to be, and say good-bye to me for ever!

_Matt._ n.o.bly spoken! Very n.o.bly spoken indeed!

_Lucas._ Well, if you insist----

_Renie._ I do! Good-bye for ever!