Unfortunately I must.  The wounds of our last encounter are not yet healed.

Miss Macfarlane.

Pshaw, man! I don’t use poisoned weapons.

Vane.

Ah, Miss Macfarlane, the broadsword is very effective in your hands! (Going.)

Fitzgerald.

Oh, Vane, will you dine with me at the Bohemians on Friday?  I want you to hear—­

Vane.

The Bohemians?  Impossible!

Fitzgerald.

You’ll see life, at any rate.

Vane.

My dear fellow, I have seen life. Don’t ask me to see it again. 
It is a painful spectacle.  Adieu!

(Exit.)

Miss Macfarlane.

(looking at picture) Why, what’s all this?

Mrs. Denham.

Arthur, I shall never forgive you for destroying your picture—­just because that wretched little creature was spiteful about it.

Denham.

Pooh!  He wasn’t spiteful.  He only told me the truth about it, in his own jargon.  I knew it already.

Miss Macfarlane.

Oh, but it’s none so bad, my dear boy—­if it’s a failure, it’s a good wholesome failure. (Crosses L to fire.)

(Enter Jane, showing in Mrs. Tremaine.)

Jane.

Mrs. Tremaine! (Exit Jane.)

Mrs. Denham.

My dear Blanche!

Mrs. Tremaine.

My dear Constance! (They embrace.)

Mrs. Denham.

My husband, Mrs. Tremaine.  Miss Macfarlane, Mr. Fitzgerald. (She introduces them.)

Fitzgerald.

(thrusting the book into his side pocket) Well, I must run away. (Crosses C.)

Denham.

Must you go?

Fitzgerald.

Yes—­I’ve—­I’ve a lot of things to do.  Good-bye. (Shakes hands absently.)

Denham.

Oh, Fitz, I want to show you something.  Will you excuse me for a moment, Mrs. Tremaine?

(Exeunt Denham and Fitzgerald.)

Mrs. Denham.

Do sit down, and let us have a little quiet talk.

(They sit down.  Mrs. Denham crosses and sits on sofa R; Mrs. Tremaine on sofa L, and Miss Macfarlane in armchair by fire, quietly observe each other.)

You are looking splendidly, Blanche.

Mrs. Tremaine.

Yes, I’m in very good form.  But you’re not looking well—­rather pale, you know.

Mrs. Denham.

I’m a little tired, that’s all.  I am so glad to see you again.  Why have you quite given me up?

Mrs. Tremaine.

Well, you see, I have been rather making a mess of my life, and I have not been much in town.  Besides, I was a little shy about coming, after—­all my escapades.

Mrs. Denham.

You know I’m not a censorious person, Blanche.  I don’t think our conventional morality very admirable, and I never adored the patient Griselda.