Not for Almeric, but to be the future Countess of Hawcastle. My sister-in-law hasn't been her chaperone for a year for nothing. And, by Jove, she hasn't done it for nothing, either!

[He laughs grimly, moving back from the table.]

But she's deserved all I shall allow her.[pg 028]

MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY

[coldly]

Why?

HAWCASTLE

[rising]

It was she who found these people. Indeed, we might say that both you and I owe her something also.

[Comes around behind table to MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY.]