ELLINGHAM. By all means, and another subject, also, perhaps.
THORNTON. I shall be entirely at your service.
[Exit and down on veranda.
ELLINGHAM. Kerchival, I shall learn the whole truth, if possible, to-day. If it is what I suspect—what I almost know—I will settle with him myself. He has insulted our Colonel's wife and outraged the hospitality of my friends. [Walking right.
KERCHIVAL. [Walking left.] I think it ought to be my quarrel. I'm sure I'm mixed up in it enough.
MADELINE. [Without, calling.] Kerchival!
ELLINGHAM. Madeline. [Aside, starting, KERCHIVAL looks across at him sharply.
KERCHIVAL. [Aside.] I distinctly saw Bob give a start when he heard Madeline. Now, what can there be about my sister's voice to make a man jump like that?
GERTRUDE. [Without.] Brother Robert!
KERCHIVAL. Gertrude! [Aside, starting, ELLINGHAM looks at him sharply.] How the tones of a woman's voice thrill through a man's soul!