SIR G. And not a pleasant dream, apparently. Why, you are trembling all over.

LADY C. (_smiling_) So I am.

SIR G. And you cried out as though you were in pain.

LADY C. It was in terror. I dreamt that I was walking on the edge of a high cliff.

SIR G. Pshaw!

LADY C. Philip was with me.

SIR G. You had a safe escort.

LADY C. But the path grew so difficult, we had to separate. I followed him; when suddenly he turned and----

SIR G. And what?

LADY C. Flung me over! I shrieked out, "Philip!"--and awoke.

SIR G. That was what startled us.

LADY C. Forgive me. Mr. Graham, for having even dreamt that you could be so little chivalrous.

SIR G. You are not well, my dear. It's time you went upstairs. I'll ring for your maid.

LADY C. She has gone to bed. It doesn't matter. I can go alone.

SIR G. Where is Miss Dalrymple?

LADY C. I'll look for her.

SIR G. Stay where you are. _I_'ll look for her. (_Exit, L. The two stand opposite each other--pause_)

LADY C. Well, Philip?

PHILIP. Was this really a dream?

LADY C. No.

PHILIP. You have overheard my conversation with Sir George?

LADY C. The end of it.

PHILIP. And you cried out because----

LADY C. I realised the truth.

PHILIP. I didn't weigh my words. Perhaps I over-stated----

LADY C. That will do. (_pause_) You chose a curious confidant!

PHILIP. I had no choice. Sir George is so acute; he guessed so much, I had to pa.s.s it off by asking him to give me his advice.

LADY C. It was a dangerous expedient. Does he suspect--who----

PHILIP. No.

LADY C. Though he is so acute?

PHILIP. Those who are gifted with long sight are often blind to what is at their feet.

LADY C. How did you come to talk on such a subject?

PHILIP. I had been telling him----

LADY C. Go on.

PHILIP. That I am going to be married.

LADY C. Oh. (_quite calmly_) That was your secret? (_sits_)

PHILIP. Yes. He guessed the reason why I went abroad, and putting this and that together, he divined there was a difficulty.

LADY C. What is the difficulty?

PHILIP. The lady to whom I am engaged is not yet of age, and those who have the care of her insist upon some proof that our acquaintanceship is at an end.

LADY C. They also know----

PHILIP. Not who you are!

LADY C. You make too many confidants. What proof do they require?

PHILIP. A monstrous proof!

LADY C. What?

PHILIP. Why, a letter with your signature! It is outrageous!

LADY C. Does Sir George think so?

PHILIP. He agrees with them.

LADY C. What does he say you ought to do?

PHILIP. To ask for such a letter.

LADY C. Then why don't you?