[_She crosses to behind the sofa on which MRS. FUTVOYE is seated, and talks to her in dumb show, MRS. FUTVOYE appearing surprised by what she hears. Meanwhile._
[_In a savage undertone to HORACE._] This is _your_ work! I see how it is--you've made 'em _all_ knuckle down, somehow!
[_Earnestly, in an undertone to him._] It isn't that, my dear fellow. They've forgotten--utterly forgotten everything. And so will you if you're a wise man.
They may pretend to forget if they like! But I'm hanged if _I_ do!
[_Who has risen, leaving SYLVIA to talk to MRS. WACKERBATH, now advances to PRINGLE._] _What_ is this Sylvia tells me, Mr. Pringle? Surely you haven't been expecting us to dine with _you_ to-night?
I not only _have_ been, I _am_, my dear lady.
Then my husband must have----[_Turning to the PROFESSOR, who is by the table talking to MR. WACKERBATH._] Anthony! [_The PROFESSOR comes down._] Have you accepted an invitation from Mr. Pringle for to-night without telling me? How _could_ you be so forgetful?
My memory has not begun to fail _yet_, Sophia. [_To PRINGLE._] My dear Pringle, I can only say that I received no such invitation. We had _no_ engagement for this evening till Mrs. Wackerbath kindly rang my wife up this afternoon.
[_He takes a chair on the left by MRS. WACKERBATH, and talks to her._
Your invitation must have been lost in the post, Mr. Pringle.
Hardly, as it happened to be given--and accepted--by word of mouth, Mrs. Futvoye. However, since you seem to have found a subsequent engagement more attractive, I have, of course, no option but to release you.
_Release_ us! But, my dear Mr. Pringle, when we've assured you----
[_Interrupting her with chilly magnanimity._] Pray say no more. I quite understand the situation--_quite_.
[MRS. FUTVOYE rejoins SYLVIA, while MR. WACKERBATH, who has gradually drawn nearer, now comes forward genially._
[_To PRINGLE._] I think, sir, we can find a simple way out of this little difficulty. If you will waive the point of my being--ah--personally unknown to you, and give my wife and myself the pleasure of joining our little party--[_the others suppress their dismay_]--we shall _all_ be happy.
Well, Mr. Wackerbath, if you think it will contribute to the general gaiety, I--I don't mind if I _do_ join your party.