Culch. (to himself).  What a surly boor it is!  But I don’t care—­I’ll do him a good turn, in spite of himself! (Miss T. returns.) Do you know, I’ve just been having a chat with poor young PRENDERGAST. He seems quite cut up at being forced to side with his sister.  I undertook to—­er—­intercede for him.  Now is it quite fair, or like your—­er—­usual good-nature, to visit his sister’s offences—­whatever they are—­on him?  I—­I only put it to you.

Miss T. Well, to think now!  I guess you’re about the most unselfish Saint on two legs!  Now some folks would have felt jealous.

Culch. Possibly—­but I cannot accuse myself of such a failing as that.

Miss T. I’d just like to hear you accuse yourself of any failing!  I don’t see however you manage to act so magnanimous and live.  I told you I wanted to study your character, and I believe it isn’t going to take me vurry much longer to make up my mind about you.  You don’t suppose I’ll have any time for Mr. PRENDERGAST after getting such a glimpse into your nature?  There, help me into the gondola, and don’t talk any more about it.  Tell him to go to Salviati’s right away.

Culch. (dejectedly, to himself).  I’ve bungled it!  I might have known I should only make matters worse!

On the Piazzetta; it is moonlight, the Campanile and dome of San Giorgio Maggiore are silhouetted sharp and black against the steel-blue sky across a sea of silver ripples.  PODBURY and CULCHARD are pacing slowly arm-in-arm between the two columns.

Culch. And so you went on to S. Giovanni in Bragora, eh? then over the Arsenal, and rowed across the lagoons to see the Armenian convent?  A delightful day, my dear PODBURY!  I hope you—­er—­appreciate the inestimable privileges of—­of seeing Venice so thoroughly?

Podb. Oh, of course it’s very jolly.  Find I get a trifle mixed afterwards, though.  And, between ourselves, I wouldn’t mind—­now and then, you know—­just dawdling about among the shops and people, as you and the TROTTERS do!

Culch. That has its charms, no doubt.  But don’t you find Miss PRENDERGAST a mine of information on Italian Art and History?

Podb. Don’t I just—­rather too deep for me, y’ know!  I say, isn’t Miss TROTTER immense sport in the shops and that!

Culch. She is—­er—­vivacious, certainly. (PODBURY sighs.) You seem rather dull to-night, my dear fellow?

Podb. Not dull—­a trifle out of sorts, that’s all.  Fact is, I don’t think Venice agrees with me.  All this messing about down beastly back-courts and canals and in stuffy churches—­it can’t be healthy, you know!  And they’ve no drainage.  I only hope I haven’t caught something, as it is.  I’ve that kind of sinking feeling, and a general lowness—­She says I lunch too heavily—­but I swear it’s more than that!