_Undershell._ I--I'm afraid you construed my remark as a rebuke; which it was not at all intended to be.
_Lady Maisie._ It would have been rather superfluous if it had been, wouldn't it? (_Observing his growing uneasiness._) I'm afraid you don't find this bench quite comfortable?
_Undershell._ I--er--moderately so. (_To himself._) There's a female figure coming down the terrace steps. It's horribly like---- But that must be my morbid fancy; still, if I can get Lady Maisie away, just in case---- (_Aloud._) D--don't you think sitting still becomes a little--er--monotonous after a time? Couldn't we----
_Lady Maisie_ (_rising too_). Certainly; we have sat here quite long enough. It is time we went back.
_Undershell_ (_to himself_). We shall meet her! and I'm almost sure it's---- I _must_ prevent any---- (_Aloud._) Not _back_, Lady Maisie! You--you promised to show me the orchid-house--you did, indeed!
_Lady Maisie._ Very well; we can go in, if you care about orchids. It's on our way back.
_Undershell_ (_to himself_). This is too awful! It _is_ that girl Phillipson. She is looking for somebody! Me! (_Aloud._) On second thoughts, I don't think I _do_ care to see the orchids. I detest them; they are such weird, unnatural, extravagant things. Let us turn back and see if there are any snowdrops on the lawn behind that hedge. I love the snowdrop, it is so trustful and innocent, with its pure green-veined---- _Do_ come and search for snowdrops!
[Illustration: "DO COME AND SEARCH FOR SNOWDROPS!"]
_Lady Maisie._ Not just now. I think--(_as she shields her eyes with one hand_)--I'm not quite sure yet--but I rather fancy that must be my maid at the other end of the walk.
_Undershell_ (_eagerly_). _I_ assure you, Lady Maisie, you are quite mistaken. Not the _least_ like her!
_Lady Maisie_ (_astonished_). Why, how can you possibly tell that, without having seen her, Mr. Blair?
_Undershell._ I--I meant---- You described her as "pretty," you know. This girl is plain--distinctly plain!
_Lady Maisie._ I don't agree at all. However, it certainly is Phillipson, and she seems to have come out in search of me; so I had better see if she has any message.
_Undershell._ She hasn't. I'm _positive_ she hasn't. She--she wouldn't walk like _that_ if she had. (_In feverish anxiety._) Lady Maisie, shall we turn back? She--she hasn't seen us _yet_!