[They go out together, laughing at him. Harry collapses into a chair, shuddering in every nerve. Blanche appears at the door. Her face lights up when she sees that he is alone. She trips noiselessly to the back of his chair and clasps her hands over his eyes. With a convulsive start and exclamation he springs up and breaks away from her].

BLANCHE [astonished] Harry!

TRENCH [with distracted politeness] I beg your pardon. I was thinking won’t you sit down?

BLANCHE [looking suspiciously at him] Is anything the matter? [She sits down slowly near the writing table. He takes Cokane's chair'].

TRENCH. No. Oh no.

BLANCHE. Papa has not been disagreeable, I hope.

TRENCH. No: I have hardly spoken to him since I was with you. [He rises; takes up his chair; and plants it beside