The Gay Lord Quex | Page 9

Arthur Wing Pinero

to keep to myself.
MURIEL.
[_Bitterly._] Still, I have promised to forgive him for so much already!
And, after all, this occurred a long while ago.
SOPHY.
[_Thoughtfully._] Ye--e--es. I suppose if you did find him up to
anything of that sort now, you'd--what would you do?
MURIEL.
Do! [_With all her heart._] Marry Napier Bastling.

SOPHY.
[_Rising--a mischievous light in her eyes._] Ah--! I almost wish it
would happen!
MURIEL.
Sophy!
SOPHY.
[_Leaning against the edge of the circular table, gripping_ MURIEL'S
_hand._] Just for your sake, darling. [_In a low voice._] I almost wish I
could come across him in some quiet little shady spot--
MURIEL.
[Looking up at SOPHY, _horrified._] What!
SOPHY.
In one of those greeny nooks you've told me of, at Fauncey Court.
[_Between her teeth._] If he ever tried to kiss _me_, and I told you of it,
you'd take my word for it, wouldn't you?
MURIEL.
[_Starting to her feet._] For shame! how dare you let such an idea enter
your head? you, a respectable girl, just engaged yourself--!
SOPHY.
[_With a quick look towards the window._] Oh, yes! hush! [_Clapping
her hand to her mouth._] Oh, what would Valma say if he knew I'd
talked in this style!
[_The door-gong sounds._
MURIEL

Here they are.
SOPHY.
[_As they hastily return to their chairs._] Darling, I was only thinking
of you and the poor Captain. [_With another glance towards the
window._] Phew! if my Valma knew!
[_They resume their seats, and the manicuring is continued._
MISS LIMBIRD _enters, preceding_ LORD QUEX and the
COUNTESS OF OWBRIDGE, MRS. JACK EDEN and FRAYNE.
MISS MOON _follows._ LADY OWBRIDGE _is a very old lady in a
mouse-coloured wig, with a pale, anxious face, watery eyes, and no
eyebrows._ MRS. EDEN _is an ultra-fashionably-dressed woman of
about thirty, shrill and_ maniéré.
QUEX.
[To LADY OWBRIDGE, _who is upon his arm._] Yes, a curious phase
of modern life. Many people come to these places for rest.
LADY OWBRIDGE.
[_Looking about her shrinkingly._] For rest, Henry?
QUEX.
Certainly. I know a woman--I knew a woman who used to declare that
her sole repose during the Season was the half-hour with the
manicurist.
MRS. EDEN.
How are you, Sophy?
SOPHY.
How are you to-day, Mrs. Eden?

MRS. EDEN.
Lady Owbridge, this is Miss Fullgarney, whom you've heard about.
[SOPHY _rises, makes a bob, and sits again._
LADY OWBRIDGE.
[_Seated._] I hope you're quite well, my dear.
SOPHY.
[Busy over MURIEL'S _nails._] Thanks, my lady; I hope you're the
same.
MRS. EDEN.
[_Sitting._] What is your opinion of the picture, Lady Owbridge?
LADY OWBRIDGE.
[_Not hearing._] Eh?
QUEX.
Moses in the Bulrushes--what d'ye think of it?
LADY OWBRIDGE.
[_Tearfully._] They treat such subjects nowadays with too little
reverence.
FRAYNE.
[_Thoughtlessly._] Too much Pharaoh's daughter and too little Moses.
QUEX.
[_Frowning him down._] Phsst!

MRS. EDEN.
Certainly the handmaidens remind one of the young ladies in the ballet
at the Empire.
LADY OWBRIDGE.
The Empire?
MRS. EDEN.
[_Checking herself._] Oh--!
QUEX.
Popular place of entertainment.
LADY OWBRIDGE.
Ah? The only place of that kind I have visited for some years is the
Imperial Institute.
[MRS. EDEN _rises, laughing to herself, and joins_ SOPHY and
MURIEL. FRAYNE is now establishing cordial relations between
himself and MISS MOON.
MRS. EDEN.
[To SOPHY.] Well, Sophy, and how's your business getting along?
LADY OWBRIDGE.
[To QUEX, after ascertaining that FRAYNE _is not near her._] Oh,
Henry, I have asked Sir Chichester to drive down to us to-night, to
dine.
QUEX.
[Watching FRAYNE _with apprehension._] Ah, yes, delightful.

[Trying to gain FRAYNE'S _attention--warningly._] Phsst! phsst!
LADY OWBRIDGE.
[Plucking at QUEX'S _coat._] I feel that Sir Chichester is a very
wholesome friend for you, Henry.
QUEX.
Very. Phsst!
LADY OWBRIDGE.
What is the name of the West African place?--Uumbos--Uumbos seems
to have improved him vastly.
QUEX.
[_In a low voice._] Chichester!
LADY OWBRIDGE.
And it is our wish that you should associate for the future only with
grey-haired men.
[MISS MOON _now withdraws, with_ FRAYNE _at her heels._
MURIEL.
[Rising and coming to LADY OWBRIDGE.] I'm ready, dear Lady
Owbridge. Look! you can see your face in them.
[LADY OWBRIDGE _rises;_ MURIEL _displays her nails._ LADY
OWBRIDGE _shakes her head gravely, while_ QUEX bends over
MURIEL'S _hands gallantly._
MRS. EDEN.
[To SOPHY.] My hands need trimming up desperately badly. That

maid of mine is a fool at fingers.
SOPHY.
Can't you stay now?
MRS. EDEN.
[With an impatient movement of the head towards LADY
OWBRIDGE.] Oh, lord, no. [_Suddenly._] I say, I wish you'd run
down to Richmond, to Fauncey Court, and do me. Could you?
SOPHY.
[_Innocently._] Oh, yes.
MRS. EDEN.
To-night, before dinner?
SOPHY.
I think I can.
MRS. EDEN.
[To LADY OWBRIDGE.] Lady Owbridge, Miss Fullgarney is coming
down to Richmond this evening to manicure me. Do, do, do let her
Continue reading on your phone by scaning this QR Code

 / 42
Tip: The current page has been bookmarked automatically. If you wish to continue reading later, just open the Dertz Homepage, and click on the 'continue reading' link at the bottom of the page.