The rise of the curtain discloses PIKE sitting in a dejected attitude in an arm-chair.  He wears a black tie, collar and linen as before, black trousers, a white waistcoat, cut rather low, and a black frock-coat—­“Western statesman” style—­not fashionably cut, but well-fitting and graceful.

MARIANO passes through the conservatory at back bearing a coffee-tray.  LADY CREECH, in an evening gown of black velvet and lace, follows with stately tread.  HORACE, in evening clothes, follows, with MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY on his arm; she is in a handsome, very Parisian, decollete dress.  They are deep in tender conversation.

ETHEL follows, on the arm of ALMERIC.  She wears a pretty evening gown, ALMERIC in evening clothes; her head is bent, her eyes cast down.

A valet de chambre enters the salon from the hall.  He touches an electric button on wall near door.  RIBIERE comes quickly and noiselessly from the room to the right.  They stand bowing as VASILI enters through the conservatory.  Valet immediately closes the doors.  VASILI wears an overcoat trimmed with sables, a silk hat, evening clothes, and white gloves; order ribbon in his button-hole.

PIKE [as VASILI enters].  I’m mighty glad you’ve come—­I’ve been waiting.

VASILI [to RIBIERE, and speaking in undertone].  You have telegraphed for the information?

RIBIERE.  Yes, sir.

[Valet, with coat, hat, etc., goes out, followed by RIBIERE.]

VASILI.  I have dined with an old tutor of mine.  Once every year I come here to do that.

[Valet returns with vodka and cigarettes, which he places on a table, immediately withdrawing.]

VASILI [with a keen glance at PIKE].  And you; I suppose you dined with the charming young lady, your ward, and her brother, as you expected?

PIKE [turning away sadly].  Oh no, they’ve got friends of their own here.

VASILI.  So I have observed.

[Sips vodka.]

PIKE.  Oh, I don’t mind their not asking me.

[With an assumption of cheerfulness.]

Fact is, these friends of hers are trying to get me to do something I can’t do—­

VASILI.  You need not tell me that, my friend.  I have both eyes and ears;
I understand.

PIKE [troubled, coming near him].  I wish you understood the rest, because it ain’t easy for me to tell you.  Doc, I’m afraid I’ve got you into a pretty bad hole.

VASILI [smiling].  Ah, that I fear I do not understand.

PIKE [remorsefully].  I’m afraid I have.  You and Ivanoff and me—­all three of us.  This Hawcastle knows, and he knows it as well as I know you’re sittin’ in that chair, that we’ve got that poor fellow in yonder.

[Pointing to the door on the right.]

VASILI.  Surely you can trust Lord Hawcastle not to mention it.  He must know that the consequences for you, as well as for me, would be, to say the least, disastrous.  Surely you made that clear to him.