(A panic falls on all four of them; they eye each other furtively, and both pairs stand whispering at opposite corners of the stage.)
Margaret. (down R. C. to Everard down R.) They've seen us—we can't go back.
Lady C. (up L. to Sir Joseph up L. C.) Ah, Joseph! The poor little girl!
Everard. (to Margaret) He can't have told them yet!
Margaret. (to Everard) Oh no—impossible! But—how sad they are! As though they suspected!
Lady C. (to Sir Joseph) The poor boy, the poor boy! We must be very gentle!
Everard. (to Margaret) I've behaved very cruelly to poor Lady Claude!
Sir J. (to Lady Claude) I'm afraid Margaret has been crying—
Lady C. (to Sir Joseph) It will break her heart when she knows—
Everard. (to Margaret) Why not tell them? This is a chance—