The Gay Lord Quex Part 37

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Plaintively._] My doctor insists--for my nerves.

MRS. EDEN.

[_Blowing rings._] I love smoking. Such a bore, because women are rather dropping it. [_Examining her cigarette._] What _are_ these?

d.u.c.h.eSS

I forget.

MRS. EDEN.

I see--Argyropulos.

[_There is a knock at the door._ SOPHY _goes to the door and opens it slightly; a note is handed to her._

SOPHY.

[_Looking at the note._] Oh, thanks. [_Closing the door._] I beg your pardon, your Grace--it's for me.

[_She returns to the dressing-table, reading the note._

MRS. EDEN.

[_Jestingly._] Ah, Sophy! you must encourage no more sweethearts now, remember.

SOPHY.

This is from _him_, Mrs. Eden--from Mr. Valma, saying good-night. He's gone to bed.

MRS. EDEN.

Good gracious! how do _you_ know?

SOPHY.

Mrs. Gregory, the housekeeper, has allowed him to sleep here to-night, so that we may go back together in the morning.

MRS. EDEN.

Ah, yes.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Taking off her bracelets._] My jewel-case, Sophy.

[SOPHY _puts the note to her lips, slips it into the bodice of her dress, and re-enters the bedroom._

MRS. EDEN.

[_To the_ d.u.c.h.eSS.] By-the-by, what _did_ Valma see in your hand, d.u.c.h.ess, after dinner? Why wouldn't you tell us?

d.u.c.h.eSS.

I was too vexed at the moment. [_With downcast eyes._] He professed to discover that a number of men are in love with me.

MRS. EDEN.

Yes, but what made you angry?

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Why, _that_.

MRS. EDEN.

That!

d.u.c.h.eSS.

They were shocking words to listen to, even when spoken by a mere fortune-teller. And you--why did _you_ not confide to us the result of Mr. Valma's reading of your palm?

[SOPHY _comes from the bedroom carrying a jewel-case, which she deposits upon the dressing-table._

MRS. EDEN.

I was in a rage too. Ha! there's only _one_ man in love with _me_, it appears.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_With a shudder._] One is sufficiently dreadful.

MRS. EDEN.

Horrid! [_Making a_ moue.] It's Jack--my husband!

d.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Reprovingly._] Hush, dear Mrs. Eden! Sophy--[SOPHY _comes to the_ d.u.c.h.eSS. _Languidly._] I shall read for half-an-hour before attempting to sleep. Put me into something loose.

SOPHY.

Yes, your Grace.

[SOPHY _again retires to the bedroom._

MRS. EDEN.