Act II

After dinner on the terrace at the Star and Garter, Richmond.
Cloudless summer night; nothing disturbs the stillness except
from time to time the long trajectory of a distant train and the
measured clucking of oars coming up from the Thames in the valley
below. The dinner is over; and three of the eight chairs are
empty. Sir Patrick, with his back to the view, is at the head of
the square table with Ridgeon. The two chairs opposite them are
empty. On their right come, first, a vacant chair, and then one
very fully occupied by B. B., who basks blissfully in the
moonbeams. On their left, Schutzmacher and Walpole. The entrance
to the hotel is on their right, behind B. B. The five men are
silently enjoying their coffee and cigarets, full of food, and
not altogether void of wine.

Mrs Dubedat, wrapped up for departure, comes in. They rise,
except Sir Patrick; but she takes one of the vacant places at the
foot of the table, next B. B.; and they sit down again.

MRS DUBEDAT [as she enters] Louis will be here presently. He is
shewing Dr Blenkinsop how to work the telephone. [She sits.] Oh,
I am so sorry we have to go. It seems such a shame, this
beautiful night. And we have enjoyed ourselves so much.

RIDGEON. I dont believe another half-hour would do Mr Dubedat a
bit of harm.

SIR PATRICK. Come now, Colly, come! come! none of that. You take
your man home, Mrs Dubedat; and get him to bed before eleven.

B. B. Yes, yes. Bed before eleven. Quite right, quite right.
Sorry to lose you, my dear lady; but Sir Patrick's orders are the
laws of--er--of Tyre and Sidon.

WALPOLE. Let me take you home in my motor.

SIR PATRICK. No. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Walpole.
Your motor will take Mr and Mrs Dubedat to the station, and quite
far enough too for an open carriage at night.

MRS DUBEDAT. Oh, I am sure the train is best.

RIDGEON. Well, Mrs Dubedat, we have had a most enjoyable evening.

WALPOLE. {Most enjoyable.
B. B. {Delightful. Charming. Unforgettable.

MRS DUBEDAT [with a touch of shy anxiety] What did you think of
Louis? Or am I wrong to ask?

RIDGEON. Wrong! Why, we are all charmed with him.

WALPOLE. Delighted.

B. B. Most happy to have met him. A privilege, a real privilege.

SIR PATRICK [grunts]!

MRS DUBEDAT [quickly] Sir Patrick: are YOU uneasy about him?

SIR PATRICK [discreetly] I admire his drawings greatly, maam.

MRS DUBEDAT. Yes; but I meant--

RIDGEON. You shall go away quite happy. He's worth saving. He
must and shall be saved.

Mrs Dubedat rises and gasps with delight, relief, and gratitude.
They all rise except Sir Patrick and Schutzmacher, and come
reassuringly to her.