Sir Sandford.  You mean that she consents to—?

Sybil. [Stamping her foot.] I mean that she will go back to the
Palazzo. [Sitting and leaning her head upon her hands.] Oh! oh!

Sir Sandford.  Need we wait any longer, then?

Sybil.  These people—­these people who are befriending her!  Tell them.

Sir Sandford.  Really, it can hardly be necessary to consult—­

Sybil. [Fiercely.] I will have them told!  I will have them told! [Sandford goes to the door of the adjoining room and knocks, returning to Sybil as Gertrude and Amos enter.  Sybil draws down her veil.]

Gertrude. [Looking round.] Mrs. Ebbsmith—?  Mrs. Ebbsmith—!

Sir Sandford.  Er—­many matters have been discussed with Mrs. Ebbsmith.  Undoubtedly, she has, for the moment, considerable influence over my brother.  She has consented to exert it, to induce him to return at once to London.

Amos.  I think I understand you! [Agnes appears at the door of her room dressed in bonnet and cloak.]

Gertrude.  Agnes—! [Agnes comes forward, stretches out her hand to
Gertrude, and throws herself upon the settee.]

Sybil. [To Sandford, clutching his arm.] Take me away. [They turn to go.]

Gertrude. [To Sybil.] Mrs Cleeve—! [Looking down upon Agnes.] Mrs. Cleeve, we—­my brother and I—­hoped to save this woman.  She was worth saving.  You have utterly destroyed her. [Sybil makes no answer, but walks slowly away with Sandford, then stops and turns abruptly.]

Sybil. [With a gasp.] Oh—!  No—­I will not accept the services of this wretched woman.  I loathe myself for what I have done. [Coming to Agnes.] Look up!  Look at me! [Proudly—­lifting her veil.] I decline your help—­I decline it. [To Gertrude and Amos.] You hear me—­you—­ and you?  I unsay all that I’ve said to her.  It’s too degrading.  I will not have such an act upon my conscience. [To Agnes.] Understand me!  If you rejoin this man I shall consider it a fresh outrage upon me.  I hope you will keep with your friends. [Gertrude holds out her hand to Sybil; Sybil touches it distantly.]

Agnes. [Clutching at SYBIL’S skirts.] Forgive me! forgive—!

Sybil. [Retreating.] Ah, please—! [Turning and confronting Sandford.] Tell your mother I have failed.  I am not going back to England.

[Lucas enters quickly; he and Sybil come face to face.  They stand looking at each other for a moment, then she sweeps past him and goes out.  Sandford follows her.]

Lucas. [Coming to Agnes.] Agnes—­[To Agnes, in rapid, earnest undertones.] They sent me to the railway station; my brother told me you were likely to leave for Milan tonight.  I ought to have guessed sooner that you were in the hands of this meddling parson and his sister.  Why has my wife been here—?