(The Duchess comes eagerly forward.)

Duchess: (Her hand upon her heart) Oh! I am here, Harry!

Quex: (In delicate protest) Ah, my dear Duchess!

Duchess: Fortunately I have been able to dress quickly without exciting curiosity. My maid was summoned away this afternoon, to her father who is sick. (Sinking onto the bench) Still, these risks are considerable enough.

Quex: And yet you deliberately court them!

Duchess: Great passions involve great dangers. The history of the world shows that.

Quex: But why now--now that circumstances are altered between us? Why, on earth, do you play these hazardous tricks now?

Duchess: I was determined to meet, to know, the girl with whom you are about to ranger yourself, Harry.

Quex: Even that could have been arrived at in some safer way.

Duchess: Ah, but you