My father-in-law! [They retreat hastily.]

RANKLING.

[Madly.] Who let you out? Who let you in? [He goes out after them—Mrs. Rankling follows.]

MRS. RANKLING.

[As she goes out.] Archibald! continue your dear old self. [Queckett enters by another door, Miss Dyott following him—both out of breath. They look at each other, recovering themselves?]

QUECKETT.

I understand that you wish to speak to me, Caroline.

MISS DYOTT.

Oh, you—you paltry little man! You mean ungrateful little creature! You laced-up little heap of pompous pauperism! You—you—I cannot adequately describe you. Wretch!

QUECKETT.