Lady Ella.  Trust our instincts, of course.

The Squire.  And supposing she’d turned out not married—­eh!

Lady Ella!  She’d still be herself, wouldn’t she?

Maud.  Ella!

The Squire.  H’m!  Don’t know about that.

Lady Ella.  Of course she would, Tommy.

The Rector. [His hand stealing to his waist] Well!  It’s a great weight off my——!

Lady Ella.  There’s the poor darling snuffling.  I must go in.

     [She knocks on the door.  It is opened, and Edward comes out
     briskly, with a neat little white pointed ear-cap on one ear.]

Lady Ella.  Precious!

     [She herself Comes out, now properly dressed in flax-blue
     linen.]

Lady Ella.  How perfectly sweet of you to make him that!

She.  He’s such a dear.  And the other poor dog?

Maud.  Quite safe, thanks to your strop.

     [Hannibal appears at the window, with the broken strop dangling. 
     Following her gaze, they turn and see him.]

Maud.  Oh!  There, he’s broken it.  Bertie!

She.  Let me! [She seizes Hannibal.]

The Squire.  We’re really most tremendously obliged to you.  Afraid we’ve been an awful nuisance.

She.  Not a bit.  I love dogs.

The Squire.  Hope to make the acquaintance of Mr——­of your husband.

Lady Ella. [To Edward, who is straining]

     [Gently, darling!  Tommy, take him.]

     [The Squire does so.]

Maud. [Approaching Hannibal.] Is he behaving?

     [She stops short, and her face suddenly shoots forward at her
     hands that are holding Hannibal’s neck.]

She.  Oh! yes—­he’s a love.

Maud. [Regaining her upright position, and pursing her lips; in a peculiar voice] Bertie, take Hannibal.

The Rector takes him.

Lady Ella. [Producing a card] I can’t be too grateful for all you’ve done for my poor darling.  This is where we live.  Do come—­ and see——­

     [Maud, whose eyes have never left those hands, tweaks lady
     ELLA’s dress.]

Lady Ella.  That is—­I’m—­I——­

     [Herself looks at lady Ella in surprise.]

The Squire.  I don’t know if your husband shoots, but if——­

     [Maud, catching his eye, taps the third finger of her left
     hand.]

—­er—­he—­does—­er—­er——­

     [Herself looks at the Squire surprised.]