_A_ SERVANT _enters._

SERVANT.

Mr. Drummle, ma'am.

CAYLEY DRUMMLE, _in riding dress, enters briskly._

_The_ SERVANT _retires._

PAULA.

[_Recovering herself._] Well, Cayley!

DRUMMLE.

[_Shaking hands with her cordially._] How are you? [_Shaking hands with_ ELLEAN, _who rises._] I saw you in the distance an hour ago, in the gorse near Stapleton's.

ELLEAN.

I didn't see you, Mr. Drummle.

DRUMMLE.

My dear Ellean, it is my experience that no charming young lady of nineteen ever does see a man of forty-five. [_Laughing._] Ha, Ha!

ELLEAN.

[_Going to the door._] Paula, papa wishes me to drive down to the village with you this morning. Do you care to take me?

PAULA.

[_Coldly._] Oh, by all means. Pray tell Watts to balance the cart for three.

[ELLEAN _goes out._

DRUMMLE.

How's Aubrey?

PAULA.

Very well--when Ellean's about the house.

DRUMMLE.

And you? I needn't ask.

PAULA.

[_Walking away to the window._] Oh, a dog's life, my dear Cayley, mine.

DRUMMLE.

Eh?

PAULA.

Doesn't that define a happy marriage? I'm sleek, well-kept, well-fed, never without a bone to gnaw and fresh straw to lie upon.

[_Gazing out of the window._] Oh, dear me!

DRUMMLE.

H'm! Well, I heartily congratulate you on your kennel. The view from the terrace here is superb.

PAULA.

Yes, I can see London.

DRUMMLE.

London! Not quite so far, surely?

PAULA.

_I_ can. Also the Mediterranean, on a fine day. I wonder what Algiers looks like this morning from the sea! [_Impulsively._] Oh, Cayley, do you remember those jolly times on board Peter Jarman's yacht when we lay off----? [_Stopping suddenly, seeing_ DRUMMLE _staring at her._] Good gracious! What are we talking about!

AUBREY _enters._

AUBREY.

[_To Drummle._] Dear old chap! Has Paula asked you?

PAULA.

Not yet.

AUBREY.

We want you to come to us, now that you're leaving Mrs.

Cortelyon--at once, to-day. Stay a month, as long as you please--eh, Paula?

PAULA.

As long as you can possibly endure it--do, Cayley.

DRUMMLE.

[_Looking at Aubrey._] Delighted. [_To Paula._] Charming of you to have me.