Trebell. It'll cost him his surplus. When'll he be up and about?

Wedgecroft. Not for a week or more.

Trebell. [Knitting his brow.] And I've to deal with Cantelupe. Curious beggar, Gilbert.

Wedgecroft. Not my sort. He'll want some dealing with over your bill as introduced to me.

Trebell. I've not cross-examined company promoters for ten years without learning how to do business with a professional high churchman.

Wedgecroft. Providence limited ... eh?

They are interrupted by Mrs. O'Connell's appearance in the doorway. She is rather pale, very calm; but there is pain in her eyes and her voice is unnaturally steady.

Amy. Your maid told me to come up and I'm interrupting business.... I thought she was wrong.

Trebell. [With no trace of self-consciousness.] Well ... how are you, after this long time?

Amy. How do you do? [Then she sees Wedgecroft and has to control a shrinking from him.] Oh!