MURIEL.

[_Producing, from her pocket, a jeweller's case and showing it to_ SOPHY.] Do you like this? I've just bought it, over the way, at Gressier's.

SOPHY.

For Captain Bastling?

MURIEL.

[_With a nod, opening the box._] A solitaire shirt-stud.

[_She retains a neatly-folded piece of paper which is enclosed in the box and hands the box to_ SOPHY.

SOPHY.

Beautiful. [_Glancing at the piece of paper in_ MURIEL'S _hand._] What's that?

MURIEL.

[_Unfolding the paper carefully._] This goes with it.

[_She holds the paper before_ SOPHY.

SOPHY.

[_Reading._] "To Napier--"

MURIEL.

[_Withdrawing the paper._] Ah, no.

SOPHY.

Mayn't I?

MURIEL.

[_Yielding the paper impulsively._] Yes, _you_ may.

[MURIEL _turns away and stands leaning upon the back of the screen-chair on the left, with her face in her hands._ SOPHY _places the jeweller's case upon the circular table._

SOPHY.

[_Reading with difficulty._] "To Napier from Muriel. I only--" what? You _have_ blotted it.

MURIEL.

[_With a sob._] Have I?

SOPHY.

You've been crying over it.

MURIEL.

Yes.

SOPHY.

"I only--" I can't read it.

MURIEL.

[_Through her tears._]

"I only know--we loved in vain: I only feel--Farewell!--Farewell!"

SOPHY.

[_In a low voice._] Very nice, darling. [_She lays the paper tenderly upon the box and goes to_ MURIEL. _Eyeing her keenly._] You really _are_ determined, then, to wish him good-bye?

MURIEL.

[_Turning to her and weeping upon her shoulder._] Oh, Sophy! Sophy!

SOPHY.

There, there! it'll soon be over.

MURIEL.

[_Raising her head._] Over! yes, yes! over!

SOPHY.

And--p'r'aps it's all for the best, you know.

MURIEL.

For the best!

SOPHY.

What I mean is, that very likely we've both of us been a little cruel to poor Lord Quex--hard on him--

MURIEL.

[_Indignantly._] _You_ say this to me! [_Distractedly._] _You_ say this, after having poisoned my mind and given me an awful night of sleeplessness and doubt. Yesterday I was as firm as a rock; to-day I'm as weak as water again. [_Facing_ SOPHY _with flashing eyes._] Ah, I tell you honestly you'd better not let me meet Captain Bastling this morning! you'd better not let me see him!