MAGGIE [arguing]. And Mr. Venables is to be there. Think of the impression you could make on HIM, seeing him daily for three weeks.
JOHN. There’s something in that.
MAGGIE. Is it you, Comtesse? I’m Maggie Shand.
SYBIL. You are not to tell her that—?
MAGGIE. No. [To the COMTESSE] Oh, I’m very well, never was better. Yes, yes; you see I can’t, because my folk have never been in London before, and I must take them about and show them the sights. But John could come to you alone; why not?
JOHN [with proper pride]. If she’s not keen to have me, I won’t go.
MAGGIE. She’s very keen. Comtesse, I could come for a day by and by to see how you are getting on. Yes—yes—certainly. [To JOHN] She says she’ll be delighted.
JOHN [thoughtfully]. You’re not doing this, Maggie, thinking that my being absent from Sybil for a few weeks can make any difference? Of course it’s natural you should want us to keep apart, but—
MAGGIE [grimly]. I’m founding no hope on keeping you apart, John.
JOHN. It’s what other wives would do.