Sir G. But she is, isn’t she? (putting up his eye-glasses)

Philip. Those glasses worry me.

Sir G. (dropping the eye-glasses) I beg your pardon; it’s the force of habit. Off with the old love—friend—or what you will—and never let the new one see her. Off with her entirely! That’s my advice; and many a hundred guineas have been paid for worse.

Philip. Oh, they will never meet. I mean to live abroad. The girl I am engaged to is a South Australian. (Sir George lifts his head quickly) And she has only come to England on a visit. Her parents are both dead, and she came over with a maiden aunt with whom she is now stopping.

Sir G. Where?

Philip. At Bayswater. In a few weeks she will go back to Melbourne; and then all danger, if there be any, is over.

Sir G. So you have come from Melbourne in the “Kangaroo”? (rises)

Philip. Who told you what boat I came over in?

Sir G. I gathered it from what you said yourself.