Studdenham. [Touching his forehead] Evenin’, Captain Keith.

Jackson.  Sir William still in the dining-room with Mr. Bill, sir?

Harold. [With a grimace] He is, Jackson.

     Jackson goes out to the dining-room.

Keith.  You’ve shot no pheasants yet, Studdenham?

Studdenham.  No, Sir.  Only birds.  We’ll be doin’ the spinneys and the home covert while you’re down.

Keith.  I say, talkin’ of spinneys——­

     He breaks off sharply, and goes out with Harold into the
     billiard-room.  Sir William enters from the dining-room,
     applying a gold toothpick to his front teeth.

Sir William.  Ah!  Studdenham.  Bad business this, about young
Dunning!

Studdenham.  Yes, Sir William.

Sir William.  He definitely refuses to marry her?

Studdenham.  He does that.

Sir William.  That won’t do, you know.  What reason does he give?

Studdenham.  Won’t say other than that he don’t want no more to do with her.

Sir William.  God bless me!  That’s not a reason.  I can’t have a keeper of mine playing fast and loose in the village like this. [Turning to lady Cheshire, who has come in from the billiard-room] That affair of young Dunning’s, my dear.

Lady Cheshire.  Oh!  Yes!  I’m so sorry, Studdenham.  The poor girl!

Studdenham. [Respectfully] Fancy he’s got a feeling she’s not his equal, now, my lady.

Lady Cheshire. [To herself] Yes, I suppose he has made her his superior.

Sir William.  What?  Eh!  Quite!  Quite!  I was just telling Studdenham the fellow must set the matter straight.  We can’t have open scandals in the village.  If he wants to keep his place he must marry her at once.

Lady Cheshire. [To her husband in a low voice] Is it right to force them?  Do you know what the girl wishes, Studdenham?

Studdenham.  Shows a spirit, my lady—­says she’ll have him—­willin’ or not.

Lady Cheshire.  A spirit?  I see.  If they marry like that they’re sure to be miserable.

Sir William.  What!  Doesn’t follow at all.  Besides, my dear, you ought to know by this time, there’s an unwritten law in these matters.  They’re perfectly well aware that when there are consequences, they have to take them.

Studdenham.  Some o’ these young people, my lady, they don’t put two and two together no more than an old cock pheasant.

Sir William.  I’ll give him till to-morrow.  If he remains obstinate, he’ll have to go; he’ll get no character, Studdenham.  Let him know what I’ve said.  I like the fellow, he’s a good keeper.  I don’t want to lose him.  But this sort of thing I won’t have.  He must toe the mark or take himself off.  Is he up here to-night?