_Sir Rupert._ Ah? Pity. We're rather fond of 'em here. But we can't expect a poet to be a sportsman, eh?
_Undershell._ For my own poor part, I confess I look forward to a day, not far distant, when the spread of civilisation will have abolished every form of so-called Sport.
_Sir Rupert._ _Do_ you, though? (_After conquering a choke with difficulty._) Allow me to hope that you will continue to enjoy the pleasures of anticipation as long as possible. (_To the rest._) Well, are you coming?
[_All except_ UNDERSHELL _follow their host out_.
_Undershell_ (_alone, to himself_). If they think I'm going to be _patronised_, or suppress my honest convictions----! Now I'll go and pick those---- (Lady MAISIE _enters from the conservatory_.) Ah, Lady Maisie, I have been trying to find you. I had plucked a few snowdrops, which I promised myself the pleasure of presenting to you. Unfortunately they--er--failed to reach their destination.
_Lady Maisie_ (_distantly_). Thanks, Mr. Blair; I am only sorry you should have given yourself such unnecessary trouble.
_Undershell_ (_detaining her, as she seemed about to pass on_). I have another piece of intelligence which you may hear less--er--philosophically, Lady Maisie. Your _bête noire_ has returned.
_Lady Maisie_ (_with lifted eyebrows_). My _bête noire_, Mr. Blair?
_Undershell._ Why affect not to understand? I have an infallible instinct in all matters concerning _you_, and, sweetly tolerant as you are, I instantly divined what an insufferable nuisance you found our military friend, Captain Thicknesse.
_Lady Maisie._ There are limits even to _my_ tolerance, Mr. Blair. I admit I find some people insufferable--but Captain Thicknesse is not one of them.
_Undershell._ Then appearances are deceptive indeed. Come, Lady Maisie, surely you can trust _me_!
_Lady Cantire_ (_in her most awful tones_). Maisie, my dear, I appear to have interrupted an interview of a somewhat confidential character. If so, pray let me know it, and I will go elsewhere.
_Lady Maisie_ (_calmly_). Not in the very least, mamma. Mr. Blair was merely trying to prepare me for the fact that Captain Thicknesse has come back; which was quite needless, as I happen to have heard it already from his own lips.