Grace.  Simply that Miss Craven is essentially a womanly woman, and, as such, not eligible for membership.

Julia.  It’s false.  I’m not a womanly woman.  I was guaranteed when I joined just as you were.

Grace.  By Mr. Charteris, I think, at your own request.  I shall call him as a witness to your thoroughly womanly conduct just now in his presence and Dr. Paramore’s.

Craven.  Cuthbertson:  are they joking; or am I dreaming?

Cuthbertson (grimly).  It’s real, Dan:  you’re awake.

Sylvia (taking Craven’s left arm and hugging it affectionately).  Dear old Rip Van Winkle!

Craven.  Well, Mrs. Tranfield, all I can say is that I hope you will succeed in establishing your complaint, and that Julia may soon see the last of this most outrageous institution. (Sylvia, still caressing his arm, laughs at him; Charteris returns.)

Charteris (at the door).  May I come in?

Sylvia (releasing the Colonel).  Yes:  you’re wanted here as a witness. 
(Charteris comes in.) It’s a bad case of womanliness.

Grace (half aside to him, significantly).  You understand. (Julia, watching them jealously, leaves her father and gets close to Charteris.  Grace adds aloud) I shall expect your support before the committee.

Julia.  If you have a scrap of manhood you will take my part.

Charteris.  But then I shall be expelled for being a manly man.  Besides, I’m on the committee myself; I can’t act as judge and witness, too.  You must apply to Paramore:  he saw it all.

Grace.  Where is Dr. Paramore?

Charteris.  Just gone home.

Julia (with sudden resolution).  What is Dr. Paramore’s number in
Savile Row?

Charteris.  Seventy-nine. (Julia goes out quickly by the staircase door, to their astonishment.  Charteris follows her to the door, which swings back in his face, leaving him staring after her through, the glass.  Sylvia runs to Grace.)

Sylvia.  Grace:  go after her.  Don’t let her get beforehand with Paramore.  She’ll tell him the most heartbreaking stories about how she’s been treated, and get him round completely.

Craven (floundering).  Sylvia!  Is that the way to speak of your sister, miss? (Grace squeezes Sylvia’s hand to console her, and sits down calmly.  Sylvia posts herself behind Grace’s chair, leaning over the back to watch the ensuing colloquy between the three men.) I assure you, Mrs. Tranfield, Dr. Paramore has just invited us all to take afternoon tea with him; and if my daughter has gone to his house, she is simply taking advantage of his invitation to extricate herself from a very embarrassing scene here.  We’re all going there.  Come, Sylvia.  (He turns to go, followed by Cuthbertson.)

Charteris (in consternation).  Stop! (He gets between Craven and Cuthbertson.) What hurry is there?  Can’t you give the man time?