MRS. WESTERN.  Miss Farren, my husband has explained to me—­I withdraw all—­

MISS FARREN. [Carelessly.] Oh, that’s all right—­though thank you all the same.  And it really doesn’t matter much.  I was going to give notice to-morrow anyway—­

HARVEY. [Starting violently.] What!

MISS FARREN.  Well, I put it off as long as I could, Mr. Western, because ...  But the fact is I’m going on the stage—­musical comedy—­

HARVEY. [Breathless, staggering back.] You—­are—­going—­

MISS FARREN.  I’ve accepted an engagement—­oh, I’m only to be a show-girl at first—­but they believe I’ll do well.  They’ve been wanting me some time.  And my fiance has persuaded me.

HARVEY. [Collapsing utterly, dropping into the chair by the fire.] Your—­

MISS FARREN. [Gravely.] My fiance—­yes.  He’s one of the comic men there.

MRS. WESTERN. [Who has been watching them both with an unmoved face.] I’ll write a cheque for your salary, Miss Farren.

     [She goes to the desk at back.

MISS FARREN. [Coquettishly, to HARVEY.] I ought to have told you, I know, Mr. Western.  But it was so dull here—­and you’ve been most awfully good to me.  I can never be sufficiently grateful.

HARVEY. [With difficulty, his face turned away.] Don’t mention it.  And I hope you’ll be happy.

MISS FARREN. [Lightly.] Thank you.  I mean to try!

     [MRS. WESTERN returns with a cheque which she hands to MISS
     FARREN.

MRS. WESTERN.  Here, Miss Farren.

MISS FARREN. [Putting it into her bag.] Thank you so much.  Good-bye.

MRS. WESTERN.  If you should ever need a reference, don’t be afraid to—­

MISS FARREN.  Oh, thanks, no more governessing for me.  Good-bye!

     [She trips out, without another glance at HARVEY, who sits
     huddled by the fire. MRS. WESTERN moves slowly to the door.  At
     the threshold she pauses, turns, and looks at HARVEY.

MRS. WESTERN.  I’ll take care that the next governess—­shall be quite as pretty as this one, Harvey.

     [She opens the door and goes. HARVEY doesn’t stir.

THE CURTAIN FALLS