_Lady Maisie._ Really, Mr. Blair! I don't quite see why I should run away from my own maid!... What is it, Phillipson?
[_She advances to meet_ PHILLIPSON, _leaving_ UNDERSHELL _behind, motionless_.
_Undershell_ (_to himself_). It's all over! That confounded girl recognises me. I saw her face change! She'll be jealous, I _know_ she'll be jealous--and then she'll tell Lady Maisie everything!... I wish to Heaven I could hear what she is saying. Lady Maisie seems agitated.... I--I might stroll gently on and leave them; but it would look too like running away, perhaps. No, I'll stay here and face it out like a man! I won't give up just yet. (_He sinks limply upon the bench._) After all, I've been in worse holes than this since I came into this infernal place, and I've always managed to scramble out--triumphantly too! If she will only give me five minutes alone, I _know_ I can clear myself; it isn't as if I had done anything to be _ashamed_ of.... She's sent away that girl. She seems to be expecting me to come to her.... I--I suppose I'd better.
[_He rises with effort, and goes towards_ Lady MAISIE _with a jaunty unconsciousness that somehow has the air of stopping short just above the knees_.
_Lady Maisie_ (_to herself, as she watches_ UNDERSHELL _approaching_). How badly he walks, and what _does_ he mean by smiling at me like that? (_Aloud, coldly._) I am sorry, Mr. Blair, but I must leave you to finish your stroll alone; my maid has just told me----
_Undershell_ (_vehemently_). Lady Maisie, I ask you, in common fairness, not to judge me until you have heard _my_ version. You will not allow the fact that I travelled down here in the same compartment with your maid, Phillipson----
_Lady Maisie_ (_wide-eyed_). The _same_! But _we_ came by that train. I thought you missed it?
_Undershell._ I--I was not so fortunate. It is rather a long and complicated story, but----
_Lady Maisie._ I'm afraid I really can't listen to you _now_, Mr. Blair, after what I have heard from Phillipson----
_Undershell._ I implore you not to go without hearing both sides. Sit down again--if only for a minute. I feel confident that I can explain everything satisfactorily.
_Lady Maisie_ (_sitting down_). I can't imagine what there is to explain--and really I ought, if Phillipson----