Miss L. You are not certain?
Lady John (goes close up to Vida). Are you?
(Vida stands with her eyes on the ground, silent, motionless. Lady John, with a nervous glance at her watch and a gesture of extreme perturbation, goes hurriedly out. Vida shuts the door. She comes slowly back, sits down and covers her face with her hands. She rises and begins to walk up and down, obviously trying to master her agitation. Enter Geoffrey Stonor.)
Miss L. Well, have they primed you? Have you got your lesson (with a little broken laugh) by heart at last?
Stonor (looking at her from immeasurable distance). I am not sure I understand you. (Pause.) However unpropitious your mood may be—I shall discharge my errand. (Pause. Her silence irritates him.) I have promised to offer you what I believe is called "amends."
Miss L. (quickly). You've come to realise, then—after all these years—that you owed me something?
Stonor (on the brink of protest, checks himself). I am not here to deny it.
Miss L. (fiercely). Pay, then—pay.
Stonor (a moment's dread as he looks at her, his lips set. Then stonily). I have promised that, if you exact it, I will.
Miss L. Ah! If I insist you'll "make it all good"! (Quite low.) Then don't you know you must pay me in kind?