Alan. How are you, Mrs. Travers? So sweet of you to ask me! Isn't it a dear day!

[Greetings.

Mr. Averidge. And how did the infant prodigy manage to get here all alone?

Alan. I pushed myself in a perambulator. Miss Vane, you look like a Botticelli in a Paris dress. I didn't bring my harp, does it matter?

[Chorus of sham disappointment and real relief.

Alan (smiling). It was dreadful of me! But I have been keeping the poor thing up so late; I thought a rest——

[Lunch is announced. Muriel stoops to collect Viola's handkerchief, &c.

Alan (to Viola). Oh, what a sweet scarlet parasol!

Curtain. End of Scene 1.

(To be continued.)