ELIZABETH Did you ever hear anything more delightfully naive? He
"gave" her the evening out. That's how they think of us--as their
servants. The gentleman hasn't the courage to be straightforward
about it. The butler blurts out the truth. Why are we meeting
here instead of at our own place?

PHOEBE For secrecy, I expect. Too many gasbags always about the
office. I fancy--I'm not quite sure--that mamma's got a new idea.

ELIZABETH Leading to Holloway?

PHOEBE Well, most roads lead there.

ELIZABETH And end there--so far as I can see.

PHOEBE You're too impatient.

ELIZABETH It's what our friends have been telling us--for the last
fifty years.

PHOEBE Look here, if it was only the usual sort of thing mamma
wouldn't want it kept secret. I'm inclined to think it's a new
departure altogether.

[The door opens. There enters JANET BLAKE, followed by HAKE, who
proceeds with his work. JANET BLAKE is a slight, fragile-looking
creature, her great dark eyes--the eyes of a fanatic--emphasise the
pallor of her childish face. She is shabbily dressed; a plain,
uninteresting girl until she smiles, and then her face becomes
quite beautiful. PHOEBE darts to meet her.] Good girl. Was