_Sir Rupert_ (_horrified_). Good Gad! you didn't suppose _I_ had any hand in fixing up that booby-trap, or whatever it was, did you? Young fellows will get bear-fighting and playing idiotic tricks on one another, and you seem to have been the victim--that's how it was. Have you had anything to eat since you came? If not----
_Undershell_ (_hastily_). Thank you, I--I _have_ dined. (_To himself._) So he _doesn't_ know where, after all! I will spare him _that_.
_Sir Rupert._ Got some food at Shuntingbridge, eh? Afraid they gave you a wretched dinner?
_Undershell._ Quite the reverse, I assure you. (_To himself._) Considering that it came from his own table!
_Pilliner_ (_to himself_). I _still_ don't understand how his clothes---- (_Aloud._) Did you send your portmanteau on ahead, then, or what?
_Undershell_ (_blankly_). Send my port--? I don't understand.
_Pilliner._ Oh, I only asked, because the other man said he was wearing your things.
_Sir Rupert_ (_as_ UNDERSHELL _remains speechless_). I see how it was--perfectly simple--rush for the train--porter put your luggage in--you got left behind, wasn't that it?
_Undershell._ I--I certainly _did_ get separated from my portmanteau, somehow, and I suppose it must have arrived before me. (_To himself._) Considering the pace of the fly-horse, I think I am justified in assuming _that_!
_Pilliner_ (_to himself_). Ass I was not to hold my tongue!
_Lady Maisie_ (_in an undertone, to_ Captain THICKNESSE). Gerald, you remember what I said some time ago--about poetry and poets?
_Captain Thicknesse._ Perfectly. And I thought you were quite right.
_Lady Maisie._ I was quite _wrong_. I didn't know what I was talking about. I do now. Good night. (_She crosses to_ UNDERSHELL.) Good night, Mr. Blair, I'm so very glad we have met--at last!
_Undershell_ (_to himself, rapturously_). She's _not_ freckled; she's not even sandy. She's lovely! And, by some unhoped-for good fortune, all this has only raised me in her eyes. I am more than compensated!
_Captain Thicknesse_ (_to himself_). I may just as well get back to Aldershot to-morrow--_now_. I'll go and prepare Lady C.'s mind, in case. It's hard luck; just when everything seemed goin' right! I'd give somethin' to have the other bard back, I know. It's no earthly use my tryin' to stand against _this_ one!
