BAXTER, _slowly begins to laugh--half-laughter, half-tears,
wonderingly, happily, contentedly_.)
BELINDA (_moving to_ R. _of table and sitting_). And I didn't
know!
BAXTER (_moving to back of table_). Mrs. Tremayne, I am delighted
to have done this service for your niece----
BELINDA (_to herself_). Of course, _he_ knew all the time.
BAXTER (_to the world_). Still more am I delighted to have gained
the victory over Mr. Devenish in this enterprise.
BELINDA. Eighteen years--but I _ought_ to have known.
BAXTER (_at large_). I shall not be accused of exaggerating when I
say that the odds against such an enterprise were enormous.
BELINDA. Eighteen years---- And now I've eight whole _hours_ to
wait!
BAXTER (_triumphantly_). It will be announced to-night. "Mr.
Devenish," I shall say, "young fellow----" (_He arranges his speech in
his mind_.)
BELINDA (_nodding to herself mischievously_). So I was right, after
all! (_Slowly and triumphantly_.) He _does_ look better without
a beard!
BAXTER (_with his hand on the back of the chair on the_ L. _side
of the table_). "Mr. Devenish, young fellow, when you matched yourself
against a man of my repute, when you matched yourself against a man--
matched yourself against a man of my repute (_crossing towards
fireplace_)
(BELINDA _rises stealthily, takes up her hat and exits through the
swing doors and through the garden up_ R.
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