JOHN. ‘Mr. Tenterden.’

DAVID. Him that was speaking for you?

JOHN. The same. He’s a whip and an Honourable. ‘Lady Sybil Tenterden.’ [Frowns.] Her! She’s his sister.

MAGGIE. A married woman?

JOHN. No. ‘The Comtesse de la Briere.’

MAGGIE [the scholar]. She must be French.

JOHN. Yes; I think she’s some relation. She’s a widow.

JAMES. But what am I to say to them? [’Mr. Shand’s compliments, and he will be proud to receive them’ is the very least that the Wylies expect.]

JOHN [who was evidently made for great ends]. Say I’m very busy, but if they care to wait I hope presently to give them a few minutes.

JAMES [thunderstruck]. Good God, Mr. Shand!