[Panting, and releasing Peggy.] You good-for-nothing girl! Do you know you have upset your mother?
[_Aghast._] What--not----Who--who has led me into this unpardonable error of judgment?
[_To Peggy, who is rubbing her shoulders and looking vindictively at Rankling._] Oh, my dear young lady, pray think of this only as an amusing mistake. The Admiral has been away for more than four years--Dinah was but a child when he last saw her. [_Weeping._] Oh, dear me!
Be quiet, Emma--you'll make a scene. [_To Peggy._] Where is Miss Rankling?
Miss Rankling presents her compliments to Miss Dyott, and her love to her papa and mamma, and, as her mind is quite made up, she would rather not cause distress by granting an interview. [_Rankling sinks into a chair._]
[To Peggy.] The port wine! [_Peggy advances with the cake and wine._]
[_Kneeling to Rankling._] Archibald, be yourself! Remember, you have to respond for the Navy at a banquet to-night. Think of your reputation as a Genial After-dinner Speaker!
[_Rising with forced calmness._] Thank you, Emma. [_To Miss Dyott._] Madam, my daughter is in your charge till you receive instructions from my solicitor. [_Glaring at Peggy._] A short written apology shall be sent to this young lady in the course of the afternoon. [_To his wife!_] Emma, your hair's rough--come home. [_He gives Mrs. Rankling his arm. They go out. Miss Dyott sinks exhausted on sofa. Peggy offers her a glass of wine._]
Oh, my goodness! [_Declining the wine._] No, no--not that. It has been decanted since Midsummer. [_Queckett, his coat collar turned tip, appears at the door looking back over his shoulder._]
What's the matter with the Ranklings? [_Seeing Miss Dyott and Peggy._] Oh! has that vexing girl told Caroline? [_The clock strikes two._]
[_To herself!_] Two o'clock--I must remove to Henrietta Street. [_Seeing Queckett._] My darling.
I am going to prepare for my journey--the train leaves Paddington at three. [_As Miss Dyott goes towards the centre door, Jane enters carrying about twenty boxes of cigars, which she deposits on the floor and then goes out._] What is this?
H'm! my cigars, Carrie--brought 'em with me in a cab.
Oh! [_Reading the label of one of the boxes._] "Por Carolina." Ah, poor Caroline. [_She goes out. Directly she is gone, Peggy and Queckett, by a simultaneous movement, rush to the two doors and close them._]