The Big Drum Part 8

MRS. QUEBEC.

[_Going to_ OTTOLINE.] Oh! [_They embrace._] This is lovely!

OTTOLINE.

[_To_ MRS. ANSLOW, _who comes to her._] Millicent----! [_To_ GREEN, _who bustles forward and kisses her hand._] How do you do?

MRS. QUEBEC.

[_To_ OTTOLINE.] You didn't stay long at the Railtons' last night, Ottoline.

OTTOLINE.

I had a headache--mother was so vexed with me----

MRS. ANSLOW.

Headache or not, you looked divine.

MRS. QUEBEC.

A vision!

GREEN.

[_To_ OTTOLINE.] Haw! I hope you saw the remarks about you in this morning's papah, deah lady.

OTTOLINE.

[_To_ GREEN.] For shame, Mr. Green! Have you been flattering me again?

GREEN.

Haw, haw, haw, haw----!

ROOPE.

[_Standing near_ PHILIP.] Madame de Chaumie----

OTTOLINE.

[_Advancing._] Yes?

ROOPE.

Here's an old friend of ours whom you haven't met for years--Mackworth.

[_She starts and then waits, rooted, for_ PHILIP's _approach. He replaces the figure carefully and comes to her, and their hands touch._ ROOPE _leaves them and engages the others in conversation._

OTTOLINE.

[_To_ PHILIP, _in a low voice, her eyes sparkling._] I had no idea I was to have this pleasure.

PHILIP.

[_Gently, but without exceeding the bounds of mere courtesy._] Robbie excels in surprises; he has been almost equally reserved with me. Are you very well?

OTTOLINE.

Very. And you?

PHILIP.

Very. And Sir Randle and Lady Filson?

OTTOLINE.

Quite well--and my brother Bertram. [_Chilled._] Perhaps you've heard that I am making my home with them now in London, permanently--that I've left Paris?

PHILIP.

Robbie--and the newspapers--have told me. It's late in the day to do it--may I offer you my sympathy?

OTTOLINE.

[_With a stately inclination of the head._] Thank you. And I my congratulations on your success?

PHILIP.

[_Quietly._] Success!

OTTOLINE.

[_Comprehending._] Ah? _Le public est si bete._ I've read every line you've written, I believe. [_He bows._] I--I have felt proud to think that we were once--that we were once--not _des inconnus_.

[_He bows again, and there is silence between them. The dining-room door opens and_ NOYES _presents himself. A waiter is seen in the dining-room, standing at the side table._

NOYES.

[_To_ ROOPE.] Lunch is served, sir.

ROOPE.

[_To everybody._] Come along! Come along, dear excellent friends!

[OTTOLINE _smiles graciously at_ PHILIP _and turns from him._] Lead the way, dear Mrs. Anslow. Madame de Chaumie! [MRS. ANSLOW _slips her arm through_ OTTOLINE.] You both sit opposite the fireplace. Dear Mrs.

Wally! Come along, my dear Phil! [_Putting an arm round_ GREEN_'s shoulder._] Colly----!

[_They all move into the dining-room, and the curtain falls. It rises again almost immediately. A chair, withdrawn from the further window, is now beside the fauteuil-stool, on its right; and the chair which was close to the small table has been pulled out into the room, and faces the fauteuil-stool at some little distance from it. The doors are closed._ MRS. ANSLOW _and_ MRS. QUEBEC _are taking their departure. The former is saying good-bye to_ OTTOLINE, _who is standing before the fireplace; the latter is talking to_ ROOPE _near the door on the left. On the right is_ PHILIP, _ready to receive his share of the adieux._