Servant. He has gone to his bedroom, m'm. [Crosses behind Mrs. Wolton.
Mrs. Wolton. [Surprised, but not too much so.] What?
Servant. He said he was on no account to be disturbed until the party was over.
Mrs. Wolton. [A little anxious.] Was he ill?
Servant. He didn't appear so, m'm.
Douglas. [To Mrs. Wolton.] Was he feeling ill to-night?
Mrs. Wolton. [With a relieved voice, showing no anxiety.] No, not at all. He was in splendid spirits. Probably he was bored and thought he would be quieter upstairs.
Douglas. I don't want to be offensive, but I must, if possible, see him to-night.
Mrs. Wolton. [Speaking very casually.] Howes, you might go and say to Mr. Wolton, Mr. Rhodes wants to speak to him about something very urgent. [To Douglas.] If he doesn't want to come down stairs again, he can send for you to come up.
Servant. Beg pardon, m'm, but he was so very strong with me that I shouldn't under any circumstances go to him, I don't quite like to— [He hesitates, embarrassed at having not to obey Mrs. Wolton's request at once.