The bishop.  I’m afraid they must wait until the decree is made absolute, my dear.  And the license is not transferable.

Edith.  Oh well, it cant be helped.  Is there anything else before I go off to the Club?

Sykes.  You dont seem much disappointed, Edith.  I cant help saying that much.

Edith.  And you cant help looking enormously relieved, Cecil.  We shant be any worse friends, shall we?

Sykes [distractedly] Of course not.  Still—­I’m perfectly ready—­ at least—­if it were not for my mother—­Oh, I dont know what to do.  Ive been so fond of you; and when the worry of the wedding was over I should have been so fond of you again—­

Edith [petting him] Come, come! dont make a scene, dear.  Youre quite right.  I dont think a woman doing public work ought to get married unless her husband feels about it as she does.  I dont blame you at all for throwing me over.

Reginald [bouncing off the chest, and passing behind the General to the other end of the table] No:  dash it!  I’m not going to stand this.  Why is the man always to be put in the wrong?  Be honest, Edith.  Why werent you dressed?  Were you going to throw him over?  If you were, take your fair share of the blame; and dont put it all on him.

Hotchkiss [sweetly] Would it not be better—­

Reginald [violently] Now look here, Hotchkiss.  Who asked you to cut in?  Is your name Edith?  Am I your uncle?

Hotchkiss.  I wish you were:  I should like to have an uncle, Reginald.

Reginald.  Yah!  Sykes:  are you ready to marry Edith or are you not?

Sykes.  Ive already said that I’m quite ready.  A promise is a promise.

Reginald.  We dont want to know whether a promise is a promise or not.  Cant you answer yes or no without spoiling it and setting Hotchkiss here grinning like a Cheshire cat?  If she puts on her veil and goes to Church, will you marry her?

Sykes.  Certainly.  Yes.

Reginald.  Thats all right.  Now, Edie, put on your veil and off with you to the church.  The bridegroom’s waiting. [He sits down at the table].

Edith.  Is it understood that Slattox and Chinnery are liars and thieves, and that I hope by next Wednesday to have in my hands conclusive evidence that Slattox is something much worse?

Sykes.  I made no conditions as to that when I proposed to you; and now I cant go back.  I hope Providence will spare my poor mother.  I say again I’m ready to marry you.

Edith.  Then I think you shew great weakness of character; and instead of taking advantage of it I shall set you a better example.  I want to know is this true. [She produces a pamphlet and takes it to the Bishop; then sits down between Hotchkiss and her mother].

The bishop [reading the title] Do you know what you are going to do?  By A woman who has done it.  May I ask, my dear, what she did?