CLARA. Good-bye! (She goes without a word r.After a few seconds enter Luke c. announced by Pet.)
LUKE. (Coming down.) How de do, dear boy? (Shaking hands. Allen does so listlessly and almost unconsciously.) I wanted to see you particularly this morning, before I went to the city. I’ve come across something that will just double your fortune. Here. (Laying papers on table l. and taking up and pouring out a glass of wine.) You do have such capital wine, Rollitt, I really must help myself to a glass. It is a splendid scheme.
ALLEN. (r.c.) Very like, but we won’t discuss it now. (Taking notes from his pocket-book.) I want thee to leave by the noon train for the Continent.
LUKE. (Turns round, face to audience, glass in left hand.) What’s up?
ALLEN. (Crosses l. c., hands him the notes.) Thy wife can join thee there afterwards. (Luke starts and looks hard at Allen.) And thee can get away to Australia, or somewhere in that direction.
LUKE. (Defiantly.) And why, pray?
ALLEN. Because there is a man in the next room who be more anxious to see thee than thee may be to see him.
LUKE. What man?
ALLEN. Richard Hanningford.
(Luke lets fall the glass.)