HORACE.  And why should it not be in a fortnight?

HAWCASTLE.  Ah, you wonderful people, you are whirlwinds, yet I see no reason why it should not be in a fortnight.

ALMERIC [passively].  Just as you like, Governor, just as you like.

MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY.  Enchanting.

HAWCASTLE.  My son is all impatience!

ALMERIC [genially].  Quite so!

HAWCASTLE [gayly].  Shall we dispose at once of the necessary little details, the various minor arrangements, the—­the settlement?

[Interrupts himself with a friendly laugh.]

Of course, as a man of the world, of our world, you understand there are formalities in the nature of a settlement.

HORACE [interrupting eagerly and pleasantly, laughing also].  Quite so, of course, I know, certainly, perfectly!

HAWCASTLE [heartily].  We’ll have no difficulty about that, my boy.  I’ll wire my solicitor immediately, and he’ll be here within two days.  If you wish to consult your own solicitor you can cable him.

HORACE [with some embarrassment].  Fact is, I’ve a notion our solicitor—­Ethel’s man of business, that is—­from Kokomo, Indiana, where our Governor lived—­in fact, a sort of guardian of hers—­may be here almost any time.

HAWCASTLE [taken aback].  A sort of guardian—­what sort?

HORACE [apologetically].  I really can’t say.  Never saw him that I know of.  You see, we’ve been on this side so many years, and there’s been no occasion for this fellow to look us up, but he’s never opposed anything Ethel wrote for; he seems to be an easygoing old chap.

HAWCASTLE [anxiously].  But would his consent to your sister’s marriage—­or the matter of a settlement—­be a necessity?

HORACE [easily].  Oh, I dare say; but if he has the slightest sense of duty toward my sister, he’ll be the first to welcome the alliance, won’t he?

HAWCASTLE [reassured].  Then when my solicitor comes, he and your man can have an evening over a lot of musty papers and the thing will be done.  Again, my boy [taking HORACE’S hand], I welcome you to our family.  God bless you!

HORACE.  I’m overpowered, you know—­really overpowered.

[Fans himself again and wipes his forehead.]

HAWCASTLE.  Come, Almeric.

[Aside to MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY, whom he joins for a moment.]

Let him know it’s a hundred and fifty thousand pounds.

[Exit into hotel, followed immediately by ALMERIC.]

[HORACE turns toward MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY; she gives him both hands.]

MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY [smiling].  My friend, I am happy for you.

HORACE [joyously].  Think of it, at the most a fortnight, and dear old Ethel will be the Honorable Mrs. St. Aubyn, future Countess of Hawcastle!

[MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY, lightly, at the same time withdrawing her hands and picking up her parasol from the chair where she has left it.]