BERTHA.
[Bows.] Good evening, Mr Hand.
ROBERT.
[Bowing.] Good evening, signora! Just imagine, I didn’t know either she was back till I found her here.
BERTHA.
[To both.] Did you not come together?
BEATRICE.
No. I came first. Mr Rowan was going out. He said you would be back any moment.
BERTHA.
I’m sorry. If you had written or sent over word by the girl this morning...
BEATRICE.
[Laughs nervously.] I arrived only an hour and a half ago. I thought of sending a telegram but it seemed too tragic.
BERTHA.
Ah? Only now you arrived?
ROBERT.
[Extending his arms, blandly.] I retire from public and private life. Her first cousin and a journalist, I know nothing of her movements.
BEATRICE.
[Not directly to him.] My movements are not very interesting.
ROBERT.
[In the same tone.] A lady’s movements are always interesting.