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MRS. ANSLOW.
[_Shaking hands with_ OTTOLINE.] Good-bye. You _might_ come on to Olympia; my sister-in-law's box holds six.
OTTOLINE.
Sorry. I really am full up this afternoon. [MRS. QUEBEC _comes to_ OTTOLINE _as_ MRS. ANSLOW _goes to_ PHILIP. ROOPE _opens the door on the left and remains there, waiting to escort the ladies to the outer door._] Can I give you a lift anywhere, Esme?
MRS. QUEBEC.
Thanks; Millicent's taking me along with her to the Horse Show.
MRS. ANSLOW.
[_Shaking hands with_ PHILIP.] Very pleased to meet you again. Ever see anything now of the Fairfields?
PHILIP.
Never.
MRS. ANSLOW.
No loss. I believe dear old Eustace is off his head.
PHILIP.
Possibly.
MRS. ANSLOW.
[_Tolerantly._] But then, so many people are off their heads, aren't they?
PHILIP.
A great many.
MRS. ANSLOW.
[_Bestowing a parting nod upon_ PHILIP _and crossing to the open door._] Sha'n't wait, Esme. It's a month's journey to Hammersmith in the ark.
MRS. QUEBEC.
[_Kissing_ OTTOLINE.] Good-bye.
MRS. ANSLOW.
[_To_ ROOPE.] Charming lunch. Enjoyed myself enormously.
MRS. QUEBEC.
[_Shaking hands with_ PHILIP _hastily._] Good-bye, Mr. Mackworth.
PHILIP.
Good-bye.
[ROOPE _and_ MRS. ANSLOW _have disappeared;_ MRS. QUEBEC _follows them._ OTTOLINE _approaches_ PHILIP _slowly._
OTTOLINE.
[_Giving him her hand._] Good-bye.
PHILIP.
[_Bending over it formally._] Good-bye.
OTTOLINE.
We--we're in Ennismore Gardens, you know. [_He acknowledges the information by a stiff bow. She interests herself in her glove-b.u.t.tons._]
You--you've chosen to drop out of my--out of our lives so completely that I hardly like to ask you to come and see us.
PHILIP.
[_Constrainedly._] You are very good; but I--I don't go about much in these days, and I'm afraid----
OTTOLINE.
[_Quickly._] Oh, I'm sure you're wise. [_Drawing herself erect._] A writer shouldn't give up to society what is meant for mankind, should he?
[_She pa.s.ses him distantly, to leave the room, and he suddenly grips her shoulder._
PHILIP.
Ottoline----!
[_By a mutual impulse, they glance swiftly at the open door, and then she throws herself into his arms._
OTTOLINE.
Philip----!
[_Just as swiftly, they separate; and a moment afterwards_ ROOPE _returns, rubbing his hands cheerily._
ROOPE.
[_Advancing, but not shutting the door._] There! Now we're by ourselves! [_To_ OTTOLINE.] You're not running away?
OTTOLINE.
