SCENE X.--_In a Fly.

_Undershell_ (_to himself_). Alone with a lovely girl, who has no suspicion, as yet, that I am the poet whose songs have thrilled her with admiration! _Could_ any situation be more romantic? I think I must keep up this little mystification as long as possible.

_Phillipson_ (_to herself_). I wonder who he is. _Somebody's_ Man, I suppose. I do believe he's struck with me. Well, I've no objection. I don't see why I shouldn't forget JIM now and then--he's quite forgotten me! (_Aloud._) They might have sent a decent carriage for us instead of this ramshackle old summerhouse. We shall be _hours_ getting to the house at this rate!

_Und._ (_gallantly_). For my part, I care not how long we may be. I feel so unspeakably content to be where I am.

_Phill._ (_disdainfully_). In this mouldy, lumbering old concern? You must be rather easily contented, then!

_Und._ (_dreamily_). It travels only too swiftly. To me it is a veritable enchanted car, drawn by a magic steed.

_Phill._ I don't know whether he's magic--but I'm sure he's lame. And I shouldn't call stuffiness _enchantment_ myself.

_Und._ I'm not prepared to deny the stuffiness. But cannot you guess what has transformed this vehicle for me--in spite of its undeniable shortcomings--or must I speak more plainly still?

_Phill._ Well, considering the shortness of our acquaintance, I must say you've spoken quite plainly enough as it is!

_Und._ I know I must seem unduly expansive, and wanting in reserve; and yet that is not my true disposition. In general, I feel an almost fastidious shrinking from strangers----

_Phill._ (_with a little laugh_). Really, I shouldn't have thought it!

_Und._ Because, in the present case, I do not--I cannot--feel as if we _were_ strangers. Some mysterious instinct led me, almost from the first, to associate you with a certain Miss MAISIE MULL.

_Phill._ Well, I wonder how you discovered _that_. Though you shouldn't have said "Miss"--_Lady_ MAISIE MULL is the name.

_Und._ (_to himself_). Lady MAISIE MULL! I attach no meaning to titles--and yet nothing but rank could confer such perfect ease and distinction. (_Aloud._) I should have said _Lady_ MAISIE MULL, undoubtedly--forgive my ignorance. But at least I have divined you. Does nothing tell you who and what _I_ may be?

_Phill._ Oh, I think I can give a tolerable guess at what _you_ are.

_Und._ You recognise the stamp of the Muse upon me, then?

_Phill._ Well, I shouldn't have taken you for a _groom_ exactly.

_Und._ (_with some chagrin_). You are really too flattering!

_Phill._ Am I? Then it's your turn now. You might say you'd never have taken me for a _lady's maid_!

_Und._ I might--if I had any desire to make an unnecessary and insulting remark.

_Phill._ Insulting? Why, it's what I _am_! I'm maid to Lady MAISIE. I thought your mysterious instinct told you all about it?

_Und._ (_to himself--after the first shock_). A lady's maid! Gracious Heaven! What have I been saying--or rather, what _haven't_ I? (_Aloud._) To--to be sure it did. Of course, I quite understand _that_. (_To himself_). Oh, confound it all, I wish we were at Wyvern!

_Phill._ And, after all, you've never told me who _you_ are. Who _are_ you?

_Und._ (_to himself_). I must not humiliate this poor girl! (_Aloud._) I? Oh--a very insignificant person, I assure you! (_To himself._) This is an occasion in which deception is pardonable--even justifiable!

_Phill._ Oh, I knew _that_. But you let out just now you had to do with a Mews. You aren't a rough-rider, are you?

_Und._ N--not _exactly_--not a _rough_-rider. (_To himself._) Never on a horse in my life!--unless I count my _Pegasus_. (_Aloud._) But you are right in supposing I am connected with a muse--in one sense.

_Phill._ I _said_ so, didn't I? Don't you think it was rather clever of me to spot you, when you're not a bit horsey-looking?

_Und._ (_with elaborate irony_). Accept my compliments on a power of penetration which is simply phenomenal!

_Phill._ (_giving him a little push_). Oh, go along--it's all talk with you--I don't believe you mean a word you say!

_Und._ (_to himself_). She's becoming absolutely vulgar. (_Aloud._) I don't--I _don't_; it's a manner I have; you mustn't attach any importance to it--none whatever!

_Phill._ What! Not to all those high-flown compliments? Do you mean to tell me you're only a gay deceiver, then?

_Und._ (_in horror_). Not a _deceiver_, no; and decidedly not _gay_. I mean I _did_ mean the _compliments_, of course. (_To himself._) I mustn't let her suspect anything, or she'll get talking about it; it would be too horrible if this were to get round to Lady MAISIE or the CULVERINS--so undignified; and it would ruin all my _prestige_! Ive only to go on playing a part for a few minutes, and--maid or not--she's a most engaging girl!

[_He goes on playing the part, with the unexpected result of sending Miss_ PHILLIPSON _into fits of uncontrollable laughter._