[_CULCHARD murmurs an inarticulate protest._
_Miss P._ Surely, Mr. PODBURY, you are aware by this time that Mr. CULCHARD has a perfect mania for self-sacrifice!
_AMONG THE RUINS AT THE TOP OF THE HILL._
_Culch._ (_who has managed to overtake Miss T. and her companion_). Now _do_ oblige me by looking through that gap in the pines towards Lecco. I particularly wish you to observe the effect of light on those cliffs--it's well worth your while.
_Miss T._ Why, certainly, it's a view that does you infinite credit. Oh, you _didn't_ take any hand in the arrangement? But ain't you afraid if you go around patting the scenery on the head this way, you'll have the lake overflow?
_Bob. P._ Ha-ha-ha! One in the eye for _you_, CULCHARD!
_Culch._ (_with dignity_). Surely one may express a natural enthusiasm without laying oneself open--?
_Miss T._ Gracious, yes! I should hope you wouldn't want to show your enthusiasm _that_ way--like a Japanese nobleman!
_Culch._ (_to himself_). Now that's coarse--_really_ coarse!--(_Aloud._)--I seem to be unable to open my mouth now without some ridiculous distortion--
_Miss T._ My!--but that's a serious symptom--isn't it? You don't feel like you were going to have lock-jaw, do you, Mr. CULCHARD?
[_CULCHARD falls back to the rear once more. Later--Mr. VAN BOODELER has joined the party; HYPATIA has contrived to detach her brother, CULCHARD has sought refuge with PODBURY._
_Miss T._ (_to VAN B._). So that's what kept you? "Well, it sounds just too enchanting. But I cann't answer for what Miss PRENDERGAST will say to it. It mayn't suit her notions of propriety.
_Mr. Van B._ I expect she'll be superior to Britannic prejudices of that kind. I consider your friend a highly cultivated and charming lady, MAUD. She produces that impression upon me.
_Miss T._ I presume, from that, she has shown an intelligent interest in the great American novel?
_Mr. Van B._ Why, yes; it enlists her literary sympathies--she sees all its possibilities.
_Miss T._ And they're pretty numerous, too. But here she comes. You'd better tell her your plan right now.
_Miss P._ (_in an earnest undertone to BOB, as they approach, followed by CULCH. and BOB_). You _must_ try and be sensible about it, BOB; if _you_ are too blind to see that she is only--