Scene II.—Mrs Graham's Drawing-Room.

(Charlie Cheyne and his sister Mrs Clare Graham are seated.)

Mrs Clare Graham. Now I have told you the whole story surely you don't intend to proceed with your absurd courtship?

Charlie. I mean to marry Dora, if that's what you're driving at.

Mrs Clare Graham. It's impossible! However much she wanted to accept she would be bound—as a matter of honour—to refuse.

Charlie (stroking his chin contemplatively). After all, marriage is merely a matter of form, and if it pleases Dora——

Mrs Clare Graham (warmly). To please Dora you'll let Jane's boy inherit the estates?

Charlie. Still, Dora loves me, and she will do anything I ask.

Mrs Clare Graham (rising irately to leave the room). I tell you she won't! Women with convictions are obstinate as Cork pigs.

(Enter Dora in a Parisian bonnet.)

Charlie. Oh, Dora, here you are! We've been expecting you for hours.

Dora. I'm afraid I've disturbed the conversation; I see Clare is ruffled.

Mrs Clare Graham (abruptly). No, I was going out. Good-bye. (She goes out.)

Dora. She is in a huff with me about something. Why?

Charlie (hesitatingly). No—that is—she was angry with me.

Dora. About?

Charlie. Oh, because you and I agree with each other so well on all subjects, marriage included.

Dora (pressing his hand). My beloved!

Charlie. I said it was a rotten institution—or something of the kind.

Dora (charmingly). An effete conventionality——

Charlie (putting his arm round her waist). Only suited to reckless people who risk the disappointments of the future for the effervescence of the present.

Dora. What did she say?

Charlie. She began to talk about my sister's boy inheriting the property, as though we cared.

Dora. Will he?

Charlie. Of course. It's entailed. But he's a fine lad, and we, who will be all in all to each other, need not grudge it him.

Dora (thoughtfully). I suppose not.

Charlie. I believe that is the source of Jane's affection for me. She knows how safe I am in the matter of marriage.

Dora. Then you have never contemplated it?

Charlie (emphatically). Never!

Dora (horrified). And you made love to me without any idea of proposing?

Charlie. You forget: you explained your creed at the outset.

Dora (paling). Then you deliberately availed yourself of the opportunity——

Charlie (drawing his moustache over the corners of his lips). Of adoring a girl whose theories corresponded with my own? Yes.

Dora (with tears in her eyes). Oh! You mean you would not have loved me if your courtship had involved marriage?

Charlie. I can't say. We both abhor to be handicapped by legalities, don't we? We both enjoy the same rights of independence——

Dora (rising angrily). Then, if loving me had necessitated the surrender of your liberty you could not have done it?

Charlie (earnestly). Could you?

Dora (sobbing). Could I? I would have loved you always.

Charlie (taking her in his arms). I would have loved you in the same way.

Dora. Not if I had wanted to marry you?

Charlie. I won't say. You never put me to the test.

Dora (excitedly). But if I should? Oh, Charlie—tell me, would you—won't you—marry me?

(Mrs Graham enters, and, finding them in each others arms, prepares to leave.)

Charlie. Clare! We want your congratulations. Dora has proposed to me, and I am to name the happy day.

Mrs Clare Graham. What! And how about her oath?

Dora (blushing). Oh, I only vowed that, however pressed to marry, I would refuse. But I was not pressed; was I, Charlie?

Charlie (sedately). Certainly not.