[MARIANO bows toward PIKE.]

PIKE [at same time genially].  I thought from your looks you must be an
American.

HORACE [turning haughtily].  Are you speaking to me?

PIKE [good-humoredly].  Well, I shouldn’t be surprised.  Ain’t you an
American?

HORACE.  I happen to have been born in the States.

PIKE [amiably].  Well, that was luck!

HORACE [turning as if to go].  Will you kindly excuse me?

PIKE.  Hold on a minute!  I’m looking for some Americans here, and I expect you know ’em—­boy and girl named Simpson.

HORACE.  Is there any possibility that you mean Granger-Simpson?

[His tone is both alarmed and truculent.]

PIKE [much pleased].  No, sir; just plain Simpson.  Granger’s their middle name.  That’s for old Jed Granger, grandfather on their ma’s side.

[He pronounces “ma” with the broad Hoosier accent—­“maw.”]

I want to see ’em both, but it’s the girl I’m rilly looking for.

HORACE [trembling, but speaking even more haughtily].  Will you be good enough to state any possible reason why Miss Granger-Simpson should see you?

PIKE [in profound surprise, yet mildly].  Reason—­why, yes—­I’m her guardian.

[ETHEL lifts her hand to her forehead as if dizzy.  MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY puts an arm around her.  ETHEL recovers herself and stands rigidly, staring at PIKE.]

HORACE [staggered].  What!

PIKE [smiling].  Yes, sir, Daniel Voorhees Pike, attorney at law, Kokomo,
Indiana.

[HORACE falls back from him in horror.]

[HAWCASTLE, excited but cool, makes a quick, imperative gesture to LADY CREECH, who majestically sweeps up to ETHEL, kisses her on the forehead in lofty pity, and sweeps out.]

[MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY kisses ETHEL compassionately on cheek and follows LADY CREECH off.]

[MARIANO and MICHELE, having cleared the table, exeunt.]

HORACE [hoarse with shame, to PIKE; slight pause after PIKE’S last speech.] I shall ask her if she will consent to an interview.

PIKE [at same time, astounded].  “Consent to an interview”?  Why, I want to talk to her!

HAWCASTLE [quickly and earnestly to ETHEL].  This shall make no difference to us, my child.  Speak to him at once.

[Exit into the hotel.]

PIKE [to HORACE].  Don’t you understand?  I’m her guardian.

HORACE [with a desperate gesture].  I shall never hold up my head again!

[Rushes off.]

VASILI [gravely, to PIKE].  When you have finished your affairs, my friend, remember my poor car yonder.

[Illustration:  “YES, SIR, DANIEL VOORHEES PIKE, ATTORNEY AT LAW, KOKOMO, INDIANA”]

PIKE [with a melancholy smile].  All right, Doc, I’m kind of confused just now, but I reckon I can still put a plug back in a gear-box.

VASILI [at same time].  Then au revoir, my friend.