George anxiously awaits Maud in the darkened barn. When she arrives, a rat scurrying across the floor startles her and she rushes towards George and grabs his arm. Mistaking her action and overcome by emotion, he embraces Maud, but slowly becomes aware that she is struggling to get away from him. He releases Maud, who is outraged, thinking that George lured her there to take liberties. As she sweeps angrily to the door, George, his hopes shattered, finds himself suddenly coldly furious. He demands that she stop and listen to him, and remembering his former kindness to her, Maud reluctantly does so. George relates to her how both Reggie and her father told him that she was in love with him. He says that it had seemed too good to be true, but that he was so in love with her that he wanted to believe in miracles. Maud is speechless with shock, over what her relations have said, and what George has told her. As he bids her a dignified good-bye, her former anger turns to sympathy and she asks him to stay. She explains that her family knows that she is in love with a man whom she went to London to attempt to see. When Percy saw her in the cab with George, it was assumed that he was that man. George feels his anger ebb as Maud quietly explains and apologizes; he is heartbroken to learn that she is in love with another man, but his primary concern is for Maud. He asks what he can do for her. Maud can't believe that he's still willing to help, but he insists so she asks if he can take a letter to Geoffrey in London, then come back and tell her how he is and what he says. She gives him Geoffrey's address and George says that he will go the next day. Maud thanks him profusely, telling him that he is a true friend, then says goodnight and returns to the castle. George makes his way back to the cottage, every hope shattered but determined to do what he can to bring about Maud's happiness. The following morning, George is morose despite the beauty of the morning. Reggie, on the other hand, is in a fine mood as he tootles up to George's cottage in his car. He invites himself in for some breakfast and starts expounding on what a wonderful institution marriage is, causing George to writhe inwardly. Reggie tells him that he's getting married later that morning. Startled out of his anguish, George congratulates him. Reggie explains that he and Alice Farraday are sneaking to London to wed because his stepmother expects him to propose to Maud and will no doubt pitch a fit. He asks George to be his best man. George likes Reggie despite the trouble his faulty assumptions have caused, and agrees to be best man, since he has to go up to London anyway. The two of them hop in Reggie's car and head for London where they'll meet up with Alice. (To Be Continued...)
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