[_Moves towards the door and lingers_.]

[Elaine _puts her face between her hands and sobs convulsively_.

_Ad_. Elaine, dear Elaine [_returns softly and takes her hand_], do you
wish me to go?

[Elaine _shakes her head_.

_Ad_. Do you wish me to stay?

[Elaine _shakes her head_.

_Ad_. What do you wish me to do? I must do either one or the other.
Shall I stay and go alternately, or shall we make a fresh start, without
prejudice, as the lawyers say?

_El_. Oh, how heartlessly you talk! What do I care what the lawyers
say? Can't you see how miserable I am, and how hollow everything seems
all at once? I don't believe in any one, and I don't feel as if I knew
anything, except that love is an inexplicable phenomenon of matter. I
shall become an agnostic.

_Re-enter_ Lord _and_ Lady Gules.

_Lord G_. Well, have you two young people come to an understanding? Take
my word for it, Elaine, an ounce of practice is worth a pound of theory
in love-affairs, and be thankful if the man is willing to become your
husband, who has had sufficient common-sense to teach you the lesson.
Holloa! whom have we here?