"John, what do you mean? Surely--oh, that is nonsense. Tell me who she
is?"

"Pauline Potter," calmly.

"Why, that's the actress."

"True."

"The actress who professed to be so madly in love with one Doctor John
Craig."

"And as the said Craig is already taken, she is left out in the cold.
Now you behold my little scheme. We are happy--why should not these two
people be the same?"

"Why, indeed?"

"Their greatest fault lies in loving not wisely but too well. This has
caused them to sin. Now, in order to prevent any future plots that may
give us trouble, I purpose to so arrange it that Sir Lionel shall have
a wife and Pauline a husband."

"A clever idea."

"I may want your assistance."

"You can have it at any time."