Maud.  Oh!  There, he’s broken it.  Bertie!

She.  Let me! [She seizes Hannibal.]

The Squire.  We’re really most tremendously obliged to you.  Afraid we’ve been an awful nuisance.

She.  Not a bit.  I love dogs.

The Squire.  Hope to make the acquaintance of Mr——­of your husband.

Lady Ella. [To Edward, who is straining]

     [Gently, darling!  Tommy, take him.]

     [The Squire does so.]

Maud. [Approaching Hannibal.] Is he behaving?

     [She stops short, and her face suddenly shoots forward at her
     hands that are holding Hannibal’s neck.]

She.  Oh! yes—­he’s a love.

Maud. [Regaining her upright position, and pursing her lips; in a peculiar voice] Bertie, take Hannibal.

The Rector takes him.

Lady Ella. [Producing a card] I can’t be too grateful for all you’ve done for my poor darling.  This is where we live.  Do come—­ and see——­

     [Maud, whose eyes have never left those hands, tweaks lady
     ELLA’s dress.]

Lady Ella.  That is—­I’m—­I——­

     [Herself looks at lady Ella in surprise.]

The Squire.  I don’t know if your husband shoots, but if——­

     [Maud, catching his eye, taps the third finger of her left
     hand.]

—­er—­he—­does—­er—­er——­

     [Herself looks at the Squire surprised.]

Maud. [Turning to her husband, repeats the gesture with the low and simple word] Look!

The Rector. [With round eyes, severely] Hannibal! [He lifts him bodily and carries him away.]

Maud.  Don’t squeeze him, Bertie!

     [She follows through the French window.]

The Squire. [Abruptly—­of the unoffending Edward] That dog’ll be forgettin’ himself in a minute.

     [He picks up Edward and takes him out.]

     [Lady Ella is left staring.]

Lady Ella. [At last] You mustn’t think, I——­You mustn’t think, we ——­Oh!  I must just see they—­don’t let Edward get at Hannibal.

     [She skims away.]

     [Herself is left staring after lady Ella, in surprise.]

She.  What is the matter with them?

     [The door is opened.]

The maid. [Entering and holding out a wedding-ring—­severely] You left this, m’m, in the bathroom.

She. [Looking, startled, at her finger] Oh! [Taking it] I hadn’t missed it.  Thank you, Martha.

     [The maid goes.]