[CULCHARD drops behind, crushed.

AMONG THE RUINS AT THE TOP OF THE HILL.

Culch. (who has managed to overtake Miss T. and her companion).  Now do oblige me by looking through that gap in the pines towards Lecco.  I particularly wish you to observe the effect of light on those cliffs—­it’s well worth your while.

Miss T. Why, certainly, it’s a view that does you infinite credit.  Oh, you didn’t take any hand in the arrangement?  But ain’t you afraid if you go around patting the scenery on the head this way, you’ll have the lake overflow?

Bob.  P. Ha-ha-ha!  One in the eye for you, CULCHARD!

Culch. (with dignity).  Surely one may express a natural enthusiasm without laying oneself open—?

Miss T. Gracious, yes!  I should hope you wouldn’t want to show your enthusiasm that way—­like a Japanese nobleman!

Culch. (to himself).  Now that’s coarse—­really coarse!—­(Aloud.)—­I seem to be unable to open my mouth now without some ridiculous distortion—­

Miss T. My!—­but that’s a serious symptom—­isn’t it?  You don’t feel like you were going to have lock-jaw, do you, Mr. CULCHARD?

[CULCHARD falls back to the rear once more.  Later—­Mr. VAN BOODELER has joined the party; HYPATIA has contrived to detach her brother, CULCHARD has sought refuge with PODBURY.

Miss T. (to VAN B.).  So that’s what kept you?  “Well, it sounds just too enchanting.  But I cann’t answer for what Miss PRENDERGAST will say to it.  It mayn’t suit her notions of propriety.

Mr. Van B. I expect she’ll be superior to Britannic prejudices of that kind.  I consider your friend a highly cultivated and charming lady, MAUD.  She produces that impression upon me.

Miss T. I presume, from that, she has shown an intelligent interest in the great American novel?

Mr. Van B. Why, yes; it enlists her literary sympathies—­she sees all its possibilities.

Miss T. And they’re pretty numerous, too.  But here she comes.  You’d better tell her your plan right now.

Miss P. (in an earnest undertone to BOB, as they approach, followed by CULCH. and BOB).  You must try and be sensible about it, BOB; if you are too blind to see that she is only—­

BOB (sulkily).  All right!  Haven’t I said I’d go?  What’s the good of jawing about it?

Mr. V.B. (to Miss P.) I’ve been telling my cousin I’ve been organising a little water-party for this evening—­moonlight, mandolins, Menaggio.  If you find that alliteration has any attractions, I hope you and your brother will do me the pleasure of—­

Miss P. I’m afraid not, thanks.  We have all our packing to do.  We find we shall have to leave early to-morrow.