Sir William.  You there!

Lady Cheshire.  Don’t keep me in suspense!

Sir William.  The fool!  My God!  Dorothy!  I didn’t think I had a blackguard for a son, who was a fool into the bargain.

Lady Cheshire. [Rising] If he were a blackguard he would not be what you call a fool.

Sir William. [After staring angrily, makes her a slight bow] Very well!

Lady Cheshire. [In a low voice] Bill, don’t be harsh.  It’s all too terrible.

Sir William.  Sit down, my dear.
     [She resumes her seat, and he turns back to the fire.]

Sir William.  In all my life I’ve never been face to face with a thing like this. [Gripping the mantelpiece so hard that his hands and arms are seen shaking] You ask me to be calm.  I am trying to be.  Be good enough in turn not to take his part against me.

Lady Cheshire.  Bill!

Sir William.  I am trying to think.  I understand that you’ve known this—­piece of news since this morning.  I’ve known it ten minutes.  Give me a little time, please. [Then, after a silence] Where’s the girl?

Lady Cheshire.  In the workroom.

Sir William. [Raising his clenched fist] What in God’s name is he about?

Lady Cheshire.  What have you said to him?

Sir William.  Nothing-by a miracle. [He breaks away from the fire and walks up and down] My family goes back to the thirteenth century.  Nowadays they laugh at that!  I don’t!  Nowadays they laugh at everything—­they even laugh at the word lady.  I married you, and I don’t ....  Married his mother’s maid!  By George!  Dorothy!  I don’t know what we’ve done to deserve this; it’s a death blow!  I’m not prepared to sit down and wait for it.  By Gad!  I am not. [With sudden fierceness] There are plenty in these days who’ll be glad enough for this to happen; plenty of these d—–­d Socialists and Radicals, who’ll laugh their souls out over what they haven’t the bowels to sees a—­tragedy.  I say it would be a tragedy; for you, and me, and all of us.  You and I were brought up, and we’ve brought the children up, with certain beliefs, and wants, and habits.  A man’s past—­his traditions—­he can’t get rid of them.  They’re—­they’re himself! [Suddenly] It shan’t go on.

Lady Cheshire.  What’s to prevent it?

Sir William.  I utterly forbid this piece of madness.  I’ll stop it.

Lady Cheshire.  But the thing we can’t stop.

Sir William.  Provision must be made.

Lady Cheshire.  The unwritten law!

Sir William.  What! [Suddenly perceiving what she is alluding to] You’re thinking of young—­young——­[Shortly] I don’t see the connection.