Mabel.  But you do.  I must have seen, I must have heard.

De Levis.  A wife’s memory is not very good when her husband is in danger.

Mabel.  In other words, I’m lying.

De Levis.  No.  Your wish is mother to your thought, that’s all.

Mabel. [After staring again with a sort of horror, turns to get control of herself.  Then turning back to him] Mr De Levis, I appeal to you as a gentleman to behave to us as you would we should behave to you.  Withdraw this wicked charge, and write an apology that Ronald can show.

De Levis.  Mrs Dancy, I am not a gentleman, I am only a—­damned Jew.  Yesterday I might possibly have withdrawn to spare you.  But when my race is insulted I have nothing to say to your husband, but as he wishes to see me, I’ve come.  Please let him know.

Mabel. [Regarding him again with that look of horror—­slowly] I think what you are doing is too horrible for words.

De Levis gives her a slight bow, and as he does so Dancy comes quickly in, Left.  The two men stand with the length of the sofa between them.  Mabel, behind the sofa, turns her eyes on her husband, who has a paper in his right hand.

De Levis.  You came to see me.

Dancy.  Yes.  I want you to sign this.

De Levis.  I will sign nothing.

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?