[_To_ DRUMMLE.] Still, the fish and cutlet remain unexplained.

DRUMMLE.

Oh, the poor old woman was so weak that I insisted upon her taking some food, and felt there was nothing for it but to sit down opposite her. The fool! the blackguard!

MISQUITH.

Poor Orreyed! Well, he's gone under for a time.

DRUMMLE.

For a time! My dear Frank, I tell you he has absolutely ceased to be. [AUBREY, _who has been writing busily, turns his head towards the speakers and listens. His lips are set, and there is a frown upon his face._] For all practical purposes you may regard him as the late George Orreyed. To-morrow the very characteristics of his speech, as we remember them, will have become obsolete.

JAYNE.

But surely, in the course of years, he and his wife will outlive----

DRUMMLE.

No, no, doctor, don't try to upset one of my settled beliefs. You may dive into many waters, but there is _one_ social Dead Sea----!

JAYNE.

Perhaps you're right.

DRUMMLE.

Right! Good G.o.d! I wish you could prove me otherwise! Why, for years I've been sitting, and watching and waiting.

MISQUITH.

You're in form to-night, Cayley. May we ask where you've been in the habit of squandering your useful leisure?

DRUMMLE.

Where? On the sh.o.r.e of that same sea.

MISQUITH.

And, pray, what have you been waiting for?

DRUMMLE.

For some of my best friends _to come up_. [AUBREY _utters a half-stifled exclamation of impatience; then he hurriedly gathers up his papers from the writing-table. The three men turn to him._] Eh?

AUBREY.

Oh, I--I'll finish my letters in the other room if you'll excuse me for five minutes. Tell Cayley the news.

[_He goes out._

DRUMMLE.

[_Hurrying to the door._] My dear fellow, my jabbering has disturbed you! I'll never talk again as long as I live!

MISQUITH.

Close the door, Cayley.

[DRUMMLE _shuts the door._

JAYNE.

Cayley----

DRUMMLE.

[_Advancing to the dinner table._] A smoke, a smoke, or I perish!

[_Selects a cigar from the little cabinet._

JAYNE.

Cayley, marriages are in the air.

DRUMMLE.

Are they? Discover the bacillus, doctor, and destroy it.

JAYNE.

I mean, among our friends.

DRUMMLE.

Oh, Nugent Warrinder's engagement to Lady Alice Tring. I've heard of that. They're not to be married till the spring.

JAYNE.

Another marriage that concerns us a little takes place to-morrow.

DRUMMLE.

Whose marriage?

JAYNE.

Aubrey's.