The Gay Lord Quex Part 17

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 tr.i.m.m.i.n.g 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 give your nails the fas.h.i.+onable cut. [_Going to_ QUEX _and_ MURIEL.] Everybody is wearing pointed nails this Season.

LADY OWBRIDGE.

[_Advancing to_ SOPHY.] Ah, no, no. These practices are somewhat shocking to an old woman. [_To_ SOPHY.] But I don't blame you. [_Laying her hand upon_ SOPHY'S _arm, kindly._] So you're Miss Eden's foster-sister, eh?

SOPHY.

I've that honour, my lady.

LADY OWBRIDGE.

You look a little thin. Come down to Fauncey Court to-day as soon as your duties will release you. Spend as many hours there as you can.

SOPHY.

Oh, my lady!

LADY OWBRIDGE.

Run about the grounds--go wherever you please; and get the air into your lungs. [_With gracious formality._] Remember, I invite you.

MURIEL.

[_Innocently._] How good of you, Lady Owbridge!

SOPHY.

Thank you, my lady.

[FRAYNE _returns--accompanied by_ MISS MOON, _who carries a neat package--and settles an account with_ MISS LIMBIRD _at the desk._

LADY OWBRIDGE.

[_To_ SOPHY.] You shall be well looked after.

[_She shakes hands with_ FRAYNE.

MURIEL.

[_Kissing_ SOPHY.] We shall meet by-and-by.

LADY OWBRIDGE.

Muriel--young people--

[MURIEL _joins_ LADY OWBRIDGE; _they go out together._

MRS. EDEN.

[_Nodding to_ SOPHY.] This evening, Sophy.

SOPHY.

[_In a flutter of simple pleasure._] Yes, Mrs. Eden.

MRS. EDEN.

[_Shaking hands with_ FRAYNE.] Till dinner--

[_She goes out._

QUEX.

[_To_ SOPHY.] Good-bye, Miss Fullgarney.

SOPHY.

[_Tripping across the room._] Good-day, my lord.