Honour bright?

Sophy.

Oh, if you've any doubt—

[He raises her face to his and kisses her upon the lips warmly and lingeringly. She goes back a step or two, still gazing fixedly at Muriel.

Bastling.

Eh—?

[Following the direction of her eyes, he turns and encounters Muriel. The three stand for a moment or two without movement.

Bastling.

[After the pause, speaking in a low voice, his eyes avoiding Muriel's.] Well—ha!—I suppose every man makes a big mistake at least once in his life. I've made mine. At the same time, I—I—[hurriedly] oh, I'll write.

[With a slight, quick bow to Muriel, he wheels round sharply and goes out.