[A loud knocking is heard at the door. Kitty opens and Constable Dunlea enters. As he stands by the door, he takes a letter from his pocket.
CONSTABLE (to Sir Denis) This is a message for you, sir, from the editor of the Examiner. The postman couldn't find you at home and asked me to deliver it, as he knew I was coming here to-night.
[Sir Denis excitedly opens the letter and Lady Delahunty looks on with apparent satisfaction, as she thinks it is a personal letter of congratulation for Sir Denis. Sir Denis borrows Mrs. Corcoran's spectacles and reads the letter hurriedly and looks very crestfallen.
LADY DELAHUNTY (with a look of surprise)
What's the matter, Sir Denis?
SIR DENIS
What isn't the matter would be a better question.
'Twas a mistake, Anastatia, a sad and sorry mistake!
LADY DELAHUNTY
What's a mistake?
SIR DENIS Ourselves! I mean we weren't knighted at all. The editor of the Examiner sends his personal regrets and apology for printin' an unofficial telegram that was sent by some malicious person about myself being created a baronet.
LADY DELAHUNTY (grabs the letter and spectacles. Adjusts the spectacles on her nose and reads. Swoons and falls into Sir Denis's arms) The saints protect us all! 'Tis the truth, surely!
MRS. CORCORAN (gets a glass of water and gives it to
Lady Delahunty)
Here, now, take this, and you will be soon all right
again.
LADY DELAHUNTY (as she recovers, turns to Kitty) I suppose 'twas at your instigation that all this happened. You impudent, prevaricatin', philanderin' galavanter. Now we will be the laughin' stock of the whole country. If Sir Denis—