The Gay Lord Quex Part 2

MISS MOON.

[_Opening a window._] Look, madam. That's one of his rooms; the window there--the open one--

YOUNG LADY.

Yes, I see. Thanks. Good-morning.

MISS MOON.

Good morning.

[_The young lady pays_ MISS LIMBIRD _and goes, followed by her maid_.

MISS HUDDLE.

[_To_ MISS MOON] What time is it, dear?

MISS MOON.

[_Putting her table in order._] Half-past one. Lunch-time.

MISS HUDDLE.

Thought so; I've sech a vacancy.

[MISS HUDDLE _goes out, carrying her bowl and towel, as_ FRANK POLLITT--"VALMA"--_appears at the window on the left--a well, if rather showily, dressed young fellow, wearing a frock coat, white waistcoat, and patent-leather boots. He is handsome in a commonplace way, and, though stilted and self-conscious, earnest in speech and bearing._

POLLITT.

[_Looking in._] Excuse me--

MISS MOON.

[_Startled._] Oh! oh, Mr. Valma!

POLLITT.

[_Entering._] Is Miss Fullgarney in the way?

MISS MOON.

[_Gazing at him in modest admiration._] She's with a lady in the private room, Mr. Valma.

[_The door in the part.i.tion opens._

SOPHY.

[_From the private room._] Oh, no, madam, I promise I won't forget.

Certainly not, I take too much interest in your daughter's nails for that.

MISS MOON.

This is her.

[_A middle-aged lady enters from the private room, followed by_ SOPHY FULLGARNEY. _The customer pays at the desk while_ SOPHY _rattles on._ SOPHY _is a pretty, elegant, innocently vulgar, fascinating young woman of six-and-twenty._

SOPHY.

[_With the air of the proprietress of a prosperous establishment._] Oh, yes, it did slip my memory to come on Thursday, didn't it? The truth is I had a most racking head, a thing I never have--well, I oughtn't to say never have, ought I? [_To_ MISS LIMBIRD.] Now, Miss Limbird, see that two pots of Creme de Mimosa are posted to Mrs. Arment, Carlos Place; and book me, please--_me_--you thoroughly understand?--to attend upon Miss Arment to-morrow evening at seven. [_Accompanying the customer, who now withdraws._] To-morrow evening at seven--without fail. [_Raising her voice._] The door, Miss Claridge. Good morning, madam. Good afternoon.

[_The door-gong sounds._

SOPHY.

Come, girls, you can get to your lunches.

[MISS LIMBIRD _leaves her desk and goes out._

MISS MOON.

Here's Mr. Valma, Miss Fullgarney.

SOPHY.

[_With a little gasp._] Mr. Valma. [_Approaching him._] How do you do?

POLLITT.

[_Advancing._] Pardon me for the liberty I have taken in again crossing the leads.

SOPHY.

[_Looking away from him._] No liberty at all.

POLLITT.

I desire a few words with you, Miss Fullgarney, and it struck me that at this time of the day--

SOPHY.

Yes, there's nothing doing here just at lunch-time.

POLLITT.

Perhaps you would graciously allow me to converse with you while you--

SOPHY.