goes out of one of the French windows into the garden. In a moment Miss Vernon comes in.
Grace.
Isn’t Edith coming?
Miss Vernon.
I sent her to get a wrap. We want to go down to the lake.
Grace.
Will you have some coffee?
Miss Vernon.
Thank you. … I was trying to remember how long it is since I was here last.
Grace.
[Pouring out the coffee.] It was before I was married.
Miss Vernon.
I’m devoted to Kenyon, I’m so glad you asked me to come and spend Whitsun here.
Grace.
My mother-in-law wrote and told us that you weren’t engaged.
Miss Vernon.
[With a smile.] That sounds rather chilly.
Grace.
Does it?
Miss Vernon.
[Abruptly.] May I call you Grace?
Grace.
[Looking up, faintly surprised.] Certainly. If you wish it.
Miss Vernon.
My name is Helen.
Grace.
Is it?
[Miss Vernon gives a slight smile of amusement, then gets up and stands before the fire-place with her hands behind her back.
Miss Vernon.
I wonder why you dislike me so much?
Grace.
I don’t know why you should think I do.
Miss Vernon.
You don’t take much trouble to hide it, do you?
Grace.
I’m sorry. In future I’ll be more careful.
Miss Vernon.
[Rather wistfully.] I wanted to be great friends with you.
Grace.
I’m afraid I don’t make friends very easily.
Miss Vernon.
We live so near one another. It seems rather silly that we should only just be on speaking terms.
[A very short pause.
Grace.
They wanted Claude to marry you, didn’t they? And he married me instead.
Miss Vernon.
When I saw you at your wedding, I couldn’t help feeling I’d have done just the same in his place.
Grace.
[With a twinkle in her eye.] And now they want you to marry his brother Archibald.
Miss Vernon.
[Smiling.] So I understand.
Grace.
Are you going to?
Miss Vernon.
He hasn’t asked me yet.
Grace.
Five thousand acres in a ring fence. It seems a pity to let it go out of the family.
Miss Vernon.
It’s such a nuisance that a plainish woman of six-and-thirty has to be taken along with it.
Grace.
Did you ever care for Claude?
Miss Vernon.
If I did or not, I’m very anxious to care for his wife.
Grace.
Why?
Miss Vernon.
Well, partly because I’m afraid you’re not very happy.
Grace.
[Startled.] I? [Almost defiantly.] I should have thought I had everything that a woman can want to make her happy. I’ve got a husband who adores me. We’re rich. We’re—[with a sudden break in her voice]—happy! I wish to God he had married you! It’s clear enough now that he made a mistake.
Miss Vernon.
[With a chuckle.] I don’t think it’s occurred to him, you know.
Grace.
How many times d’you suppose his mother has said to Claude: Things would be very different now if you’d had the sense to marry Helen Vernon.
Miss Vernon.
Yes, in that case I must say it’s not to be wondered at if you don’t like me very much.
Grace.
Like you! I hate you with all my heart and soul!
Miss Vernon.
Good gracious me, you don’t say so?
Grace.
[With a sudden flash of humour.] You don’t mind my telling you, do you?
Miss Vernon.
Not a bit, but I should very much like to know why?
Grace.
Because I’ve got an envious disposition and I envy you.
Miss Vernon.
A solitary old maid like me?
Grace.
You’ve got everything that I haven’t got. D’you suppose I’ve lived ten years in my husband’s family without realising the gulf that separates Miss Vernon of Foley from
