Oh, but wait. This isn't a matter of a handful of sovereigns. I'll give you a couple of thousand pounds to keep quiet about this.
Not twenty thousand. I'm extremely comfortably off, my lord, but if I wasn't I wouldn't accept a penny of your money. All I wish is to save Miss Muriel from marrying a--a gentleman who isn't fit for her. And that's what I intend doing.
[_They stand looking at each other for a moment, silently; then he walks away, thoughtfully._
[_With an eye on the door._] Certainly not.
I should like to settle this business with you pleasantly--if possible. Allow me to say this. I don't think I am quite such an atrocious person as you appear to believe; in fact I can assure you I am not.
[_Gathering her robe about her and advancing a few steps._] You must excuse me, my lord, but--[_glancing round the room_] you evidently forget where you are.
No, I don't; but I tell you--I tell you sincerely--that my visit to her Grace to-night was an innocent one.
[_Turning her head away, in great disdain._] Really!
Very well. Ha! it's an odd attitude for a man like myself to adopt towards--[_indicating_ SOPHY _by a motion of the hand._] But I make an appeal to you.
[_With simple feeling and dignity._] I love Miss Eden. I would be a good husband to that young lady. Let me off.
Don't tell on me. Don't try to rob me of Miss Eden. Let me off.
I won't. [_With a slight inclination of the head_ QUEX _turns away and stands leaning against the settee with his back towards_ SOPHY. _The clock strikes the quarter-of-an-hour. There is a short silence._] If your lordship has quite done with me--? [_He makes no response. She tosses her head._] I wish you good-night, my lord. [_She goes to the passage-door and turns the handle._] It's locked. This door's locked. [_Looking at him._] The door's locked. [_Rattling at the door-handle._] Where's the key? [_Searching about on the floor near the door._] Where's the--? [_Coming forward a step or two._] Has your lordship got the key of this door? [_Still obtaining no answer, she stands staring at him for a moment; then she goes quickly to the other door and tries the handle. As she does so,_ QUEX _turns sharply and, leaning upon the back of the settee, watches her. After shaking the door-handle vigorously, she wheels round and faces him, indignantly._] What's the meaning of this?