Hillcrist. What a coil!

Chloe.  I’m very honest and careful about money.  So he won’t believe that about me, and the old man wants to keep it from Charlie, I know.

Hillcrist. That does seem the best way out.

Chloe. [With a touch of defiance] I’m a true wife to him.

Chloe.  Of course we know that.

Hillcrist. It’s all unspeakably sad.  Deception’s horribly against the grain—­but——­

Chloe. [Eagerly] When I deceived him, I’d have deceived God Himself—­I was so desperate.  You’ve never been right down in the mud.  You can’t understand what I’ve been through.

Hillcrist. Yes, Yes.  I daresay I’d have done the same.  I should be the last to judge.

     [Chloe covers her eyes with her hands.]

There, there!  Cheer up! [He puts his hand on her arm.]

Chloe. [To herself] Darling Dodo!

Chloe. [Starting] There’s somebody at the door.  I must go; I must go.

     [She runs to the window and slips through the curtains.]

     [The handle of the door is again turned.]

Jill. [Dismayed] Oh!  It’s locked—­I forgot.

     [She spring to the door, unlocks and opens it, while Hillcrist
     goes to the bureau and sits down.]

It’s all right, Fellows; I was only saying something rather important.

Fellows. [Coming in a step or two and closing the door behind him] Certainly, Miss.  Mr. Charles ’Ornblower is in the hall.  Wants to see you, sir, or Mrs. Hillcrist.

Jill.  What a bore!  Can you see him, Dodo?

Hillcrist. Er—­yes.  I suppose so.  Show him in here, Fellows.

[As fellows goes out, Jill runs to the window, but has no time to do more than adjust the curtains and spring over to stand by her father, before Charles comes in.  Though in evening clothes, he is white and disheveled for so spruce a young mean.]

Charles.  Is my wife here?

Hillcrist. No, sir.

Charles.  Has she been?

Hillcrist. This morning, I believe, Jill?

Jill.  Yes, she came this morning.

Charles. [staring at her] I know that—­now, I mean?

Jill.  No.

     [Hillcrist shakes has head.]

Charles.  Tell me what was said this morning.

Hillcrist. I was not here this morning.

Charles.  Don’t try to put me off.  I know too much. [To Jill]
You.

Jill.  Shall I, Dodo?

Hillcrist. No; I will.  Won’t you sit down?

Charles.  No.  Go on.

Hillcrist. [Moistening his lips] It appears, Mr. Hornblower, that my agent, Mr. Dawker—­