The bishop.  I’m not a teacher:  only a fellow-traveller of whom you asked the way.  I pointed ahead—­ahead of myself as well as of you.

Mrs George [rising and standing over him almost threateningly] As I’m a living woman this day, if I find you out to be a fraud, I’ll kill myself.

The bishop.  What!  Kill yourself for finding out something!  For becoming a wiser and therefore a better woman!  What a bad reason!

Mrs George.  I have sometimes thought of killing you, and then killing myself.

The bishop.  Why on earth should you kill yourself—­not to mention me?

Mrs George.  So that we might keep our assignation in Heaven.

The bishop [rising and facing her, breathless] Mrs. Collins!  You are Incognita Appassionata!

Mrs George.  You read my letters, then? [With a sigh of grateful relief, she sits down quietly, and says] Thank you.

The bishop [remorsefully] And I have broken the spell by making you come here [sitting down again].  Can you ever forgive me?

Mrs George.  You couldnt know that it was only the coal merchant’s wife, could you?

The bishop.  Why do you say only the coal merchant’s wife?

Mrs George.  Many people would laugh at it.

The bishop.  Poor people!  It’s so hard to know the right place to laugh, isnt it?

Mrs George.  I didnt mean to make you think the letters were from a fine lady.  I wrote on cheap paper; and I never could spell.

The bishop.  Neither could I. So that told me nothing.

Mrs George.  One thing I should like you to know.

The bishop.  Yes?

Mrs George.  We didnt cheat your friend.  They were as good as we could do at thirteen shillings a ton.

The bishop.  Thats important.  Thank you for telling me.

Mrs George.  I have something else to say; but will you please ask somebody to come and stay here while we talk? [He rises and turns to the study door].  Not a woman, if you dont mind. [He nods understandingly and passes on].  Not a man either.

The bishop [stopping] Not a man and not a woman!  We have no children left, Mrs Collins.  They are all grown up and married.

Mrs George.  That other clergyman would do.

The bishop.  What!  The sexton?

Mrs George.  Yes.  He didnt mind my calling him that, did he?  It was only my ignorance.

The bishop.  Not at all. [He opens the study door and calls] Soames!  Anthony! [To Mrs George] Call him Father:  he likes it. [Soames appears at the study door].  Mrs Collins wishes you to join us, Anthony.