I'm afraid I can't. Au revoir.
ADMIRAL.
A tout a l'heure.
[_He and_ ROSE _go out_.
GERALD.
Have you ever seen in your life any one so entirely delightful as Rose?
LADY FREDERICK.
[_Laughing._] Only when I've looked in the glass.
GERALD.
My dear Elizabeth, how vain you are.
LADY FREDERICK.
You're very happy, my Gerald.
GERALD.
It's such a relief to have got over all the difficulties. I thought it never would come right. You are a brick, Elizabeth.
LADY FREDERICK.
I really think I am rather.
GERALD.
The moment you promised to arrange things I felt as safe as a house.
LADY FREDERICK.
I said I'd do my best, didn't I? And I told you not to worry.
GERALD.
[_Turning round suddenly._] Isn't it all right?
LADY FREDERICK.
No, it's about as wrong as it can possibly be. I knew Cohen was staying here, and I thought I could get him to hold the bills over for a few days.
GERALD.
And won't he?
LADY FREDERICK.
He hasn't got them any more.
GERALD.
[_Startled._] What!
LADY FREDERICK.
They've been negotiated, and he swears he doesn't know who has them.
GERALD.
But who could have been such a fool?
LADY FREDERICK.
I don't know, that's just the awful part of it. It was bad enough before. I knew the worst Cohen could do, but now.... It couldn't be Paradine.
GERALD.
And then there's Montgomerie.
LADY FREDERICK.
I shall see him to-day.
GERALD.
What are you going to say to him?
LADY FREDERICK.
I haven't an idea. I'm rather frightened of him.
GERALD.
You know, dear, if the worst comes to the worst....
LADY FREDERICK.
Whatever happens you shall marry Rose. I promise you that.
[PARADINE FOULDES _appears_.
FOULDES.