JANE.  Well, it’s really extraordinary. . . .  Was he a gentleman?

MELISANDE (smiling at her).  I didn’t ask him, Jane.

JANE (crossly).  You know what I mean.

MELISANDE.  He is coming this afternoon to take me away.

JANE (amazed).  To take you away?  But what about Aunt Mary?

MELISANDE (vaguely).  Aunt Mary?  What has she got to do with it?

JANE (impatiently).  Oh, but——­ (With a shrug of resignation) I don’t understand.  Do you mean he’s coming here? (MELISANDE nods gravely) Melisande, you’ll let me see him?

MELISANDE.  Yes.  I’ve thought it all out.  I wanted you here, Jane.  He will come in; I will present you; and then you must leave us alone.  But I should like you to see him.  Just to see how different, how utterly different he is from every other man. . . .  But you will promise to go when you have seen him, won’t you?

JANE (nodding).  I’ll say, “I’m afraid I must leave you now, and——­”
Sandy, how can he be a prince?

MELISANDE.  When you see him, Jane, you will say, “How can he not be a prince?”

JANE.  But one has to leave princes backward.  I mean—­he won’t expect—­you know——­

MELISANDE.  I don’t think so.  Besides, after all, you are my cousin.

JANE.  Yes.  I think I shall get that in; just to be on the safe side.  “Well, cousin, I must leave you now, as I have to attend my aunt.”  And then a sort of—­not exactly a curtsey, but—­(she practises, murmuring the words to herself).  I suppose you didn’t happen to mention me to him this morning?

MELISANDE (half smiling).  Oh no!

JANE (hurt).  I don’t see why you shouldn’t have.  What did you talk about?

MELISANDE.  I don’t know. (She grips JANE’S arm suddenly) Jane, I didn’t dream it all this morning, did I?  It did happen?  I saw him—­he kissed me—­he is coming for me—­he——­

(Enter ALICE)

ALICE.  Mr. Gervase Mallory.

MELISANDE (happily).  Ah!

(GERVASE comes in, an apparently ordinary young man in a loud golfing suit.)

GERVASE.  How do you do?

MELISANDE (looking at him with growing amazement and horror).  Oh!

(JANE looks from one to the other in bewilderment.)

GERVASE.  I ought to explain.  Mr. Knowle was kind enough to lend me some petrol last night; my car broke down; he was good enough to say I might come this afternoon and see his prints.  I am hoping to be allowed to thank him again for his kindness last night.  And—­er—­I’ve brought back the petrol.

MELISANDE (still with her eyes on him).  My father will no doubt be here directly.  This is my cousin, Miss Bagot.

GERVASE (bowing).  How do you do?

JANE (nervously).  How do you do? (After a pause) Well, I’m afraid I must leave you now, as——­

MELISANDE (with her eyes still on GERVASE, putting out a hand and clutching at JANE).  No!