[_AGATHA POSKET is helping LUKYN, when suddenly CHARLOTTE, with her fork in the air, leans back open-mouthed, staring wildly at VALE"S arm extended with the dish._
CHARLOTTE.
[_In terror._] Agatha! Agatha!
AGATHA POSKET.
Charlotte! what"s the matter, Charley?
CHARLOTTE.
Agatha!
AGATHA POSKET.
You"re ill, Charlotte! Surely you are not choking?
CHARLOTTE.
[_Pointing to the curtains._] Look, look!
[_They both scream._
LUKYN.
Don"t be alarmed--I----
CHARLOTTE. }
What"s that? } } [_Together._]
AGATHA POSKET. }
Who"s that? }
LUKYN.
I can explain. Don"t condemn till you"ve heard. I--I---- d.a.m.n it, sir, put these lemons down!
CHARLOTTE.
He calls him "Sir"--it must be a man.
LUKYN.
It is a man. I am not in a position to deny that.
AGATHA POSKET.
Really, Colonel Lukyn!
LUKYN.
It is my friend. He--he--he"s merely waiting for his supper.
AGATHA POSKET.
Your friend. [_To CHARLOTTE._] Come home, dear.
LUKYN.
Do, do hear me! To avoid the embarra.s.sment of your encountering a stranger, he retreated to the balcony.
AGATHA POSKET.
To the balcony? You have shamefully compromised two trusting women, Colonel Lukyn.
LUKYN.
I would have laid down my life rather than have done so. I did lay down my friend"s life.
AGATHA POSKET.
He has overheard every confidential word I have spoken to you.
LUKYN.
Hear his explanation. Why the devil don"t you corroborate me, sir?
VALE.
[_From behind the curtain._] Certainly, I a.s.sure you I heard next to nothing.
CHARLOTTE.
[_Grasping AGATHA POSKET"S arm._] Oh, Agatha!
VALE.
I didn"t come in till I was exceedingly wet.
LUKYN.
[_To AGATHA POSKET._] You hear that?
VALE.
And when I did come in----
CHARLOTTE.