Part 57

VON RETTENMAYER.

LILY.

JIMMIE.

Don't consider me.

LILY.

But I do. Go upstairs and tell mother that Lord Farncombe's with me. Say I promise he shan't stay long. [To ROPER.] You'll take Jimmie home, won't you, Lal?

ROPER.

LILY.

JIMMIE.

Rather! [Throwing her arms round LILY'S neck and pressing her cheek to LILY'S.] Rather! [To ROPER, significantly.] Sit in the hall till I'm ready.

ROPER.

LILY.

Y-y-yes, Lal.

ROPER.

And any happiness that befalls you-- any happiness that befalls you-- [choking] I'll leave it there. God bless yer; God bless yer! [bustling over to FARNCOMBE who, his hat in his hand, his overcoat on his arm, is standing near the piano] and God bless you, my lad! [incoherently] I'm proud-- proud to have the honour-- and to have been the means of-- the means of-- [wringing FARNCOMBE'S hand] God bless you both! [He goes to the door and there finds LILY.] I-- I-- I-- I'll drop in by-and-by and-- and-- and inquire after you, my pet.

LILY.

ROPER.

FARNCOMBE.

LILY.

FARNCOMBE.

Y-y-yes. [Drawing nearer to her.] I hope you won't be angry with me for confiding in her. You see, I-- I----

LILY.

FARNCOMBE.

LILY.

FARNCOMBE.

LILY.

H'sh! Nonsense; not you!

FARNCOMBE.