Dancy.  Let me read it:  “I apologise to Captain Dancy for the reckless and monstrous charge I made against him, and I retract every word of it.”

De Levis.  Not much!

Dancy.  You will sign.

De Levis.  I tell you this is useless.  I will sign nothing.  The charge is true; you wouldn’t be playing this game if it weren’t.  I’m going.  You’ll hardly try violence in the presence of your wife; and if you try it anywhere else—­look out for yourself.

Dancy.  Mabel, I want to speak to him alone.

Mabel.  No, no!

De Levis.  Quite right, Mrs Dancy.  Black and tan swashbuckling will only make things worse for him.

Dancy.  So you shelter behind a woman, do you, you skulking cur!

     De Levis takes a step, with fists clenched and eyes blazing.  Dancy,
     too, stands ready to spring—­the moment is cut short by Mabel going
     quickly to her husband.

Mabel.  Don’t, Ronny.  It’s undignified!  He isn’t worth it.

     Dancy suddenly tears the paper in two, and flings it into the fire.

Dancy.  Get out of here, you swine!

De Levis stands a moment irresolute, then, turning to the door, he opens it, stands again for a moment with a smile on his face, then goes.  Mabel crosses swiftly to the door, and shuts it as the outer door closes.  Then she stands quite still, looking at her husband —­her face expressing a sort of startled suspense.

Dancy. [Turning and looking at her] Well!  Do you agree with him?

Mabel.  What do you mean?

Dancy.  That I wouldn’t be playing this game unless—­

Mabel.  Don’t!  You hurt me!

Dancy.  Yes.  You don’t know much of me, Mabel.

Mabel.  Ronny!

Dancy.  What did you say to that swine?

Mabel. [Her face averted] That he was robbing us. [Turning to him suddenly] Ronny—­you—­didn’t?  I’d rather know.

Dancy.  Ha!  I thought that was coming.

Mabel. [Covering her face] Oh!  How horrible of me—­how horrible!

Dancy.  Not at all.  The thing looks bad.

Mabel. [Dropping her hands] If I can’t believe in you, who can? [Going to him, throwing her arms round him, and looking up into his face] Ronny!  If all the world—­I’d believe in you.  You know I would.

Dancy.  That’s all right, Mabs!  That’s all right! [His face, above her head, is contorted for a moment, then hardens into a mask] Well, what shall we do?  Let’s go to that lawyer—­let’s go—­

Mabel.  Oh! at once!

Dancy.  All right.  Get your hat on.