Mrs. H. Denied, then broke down when she saw our witnesses.  I’m glad you were not here, Jack.

Jill. [Suddenly] I shall go and see her.

Mrs. H. Jill, you will not; you don’t know what she’s done.

Jill.  I shall.  She must be in an awful state.

Hillcrist. My dear, you can do her no good.

Jill.  I think I can, Dodo.

Mrs. H. You don’t understand human nature.  We’re enemies for life with those people.  You’re a little donkey if you think anything else.

Jill.  I’m going, all the same.

Mrs. H. Jack, forbid her.

Hillcrist. [Lifting an eyebrow] Jill, be reasonable.

Jill.  Suppose I’d taken a knock like that, Dodo, I’d be glad of friendliness from someone.

Mrs. H. You never could take a knock like that.

Jill.  You don’t know what you can do till you try, mother.

Hillcrist. Let her go, Amy.  Im sorry for that young woman.

Mrs. H. You’d be sorry for a man who picked your pocket, I believe.

Hillcrist. I certainly should!  Deuced little he’d get out of it, when I’ve paid for the Centry.

Mrs. H. [Bitterly] Much gratitude I get for saving you both our home!

Jill. [Disarmed] Oh!  Mother, we are grateful.  Dodo, show your gratitude.

Hillcrist. Well, my dear, it’s an intense relief.  I’m not good at showing my feelings, as you know.  What d’you want me to do?  Stand on one leg and crow?

Jill.  Yes, Dodo, yes!  Mother, hold him while I [Suddenly she stops, and all the fun goes out of her] No!  I can’t—­I can’t help thinking of her.

Curtain falls for a minute.

SCENE II

     When it rises again, the room is empty and dark, same for
     moonlight coming in through the French window, which is open.

The figure of Chloe, in a black cloak, appears outside in the moonlight; she peers in, moves past, comes bank, hesitatingly enters.  The cloak, fallen back, reveals a white evening dress; and that magpie figure stands poised watchfully in the dim light, then flaps unhappily Left and Right, as if she could not keep still.  Suddenly she stands listening.

Rolf’s voice. [Outside] Chloe!  Chloe!

     [He appears]

Chloe. [Going to the window] What are you doing here?

Rolf.  What are you?  I only followed you.

Chloe.  Go away.

Rolf.  What’s the matter?  Tell me!

Chloe.  Go away, and don’t say anything.  Oh!  The roses! [She has put her nose into some roses in a bowl on a big stand close to the window] Don’t they smell lovely?