e.

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

Oh, yes, and he married her--or something.

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

Yes, and now she's a widow--or something.

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

Why does the Mater encourage her?

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.

Because Aunt Kate is _too_ good-hearted and impressionable. But, as a
rule, I think Mrs. Gaylustre makes a considerable reduction to those who
ask her to their parties. [MRS. GAYLUSTRE is bending over SIR JULIAN and
turning his music.] Look!

[PROBYN appears at the entrance.]

PROBYN.

Here's Sir Julian, my lady.

BROOKE TWOMBLEY.

Hullo, Mater!

[LADY TWOMBLEY, a handsome, bright, good-humoured woman, dressed
magnificently in Court dress, enters. PROBYN retires, and SIR JULIAN
stops playing.]

LADY TWOMBLEY.

[Kissing BROOKE.] Well, Brooke, darling, have you wanted your mother?
[Kissing LADY EUPHEMIA.] Effie, how sweet you look! what a dream of a
bonnet! [Nods to MRS. GAYLUSTRE.] How d'ye do, Mrs. Gaylustre? Why, pa!
[She bends over him and kisses him.] You're worried--you've been
playing your whistle.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Flute, Katherine.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I mean flute. It was my brother Bob who always played a whistle when the
crops were poor or the lambs fell sickly.

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

I had not the advantage of your brother Robert's acquaintance.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Where's Imogen? Imogen!

IMOGEN.

[Outside.] Mamma!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Come and show yourself to pa.

[IMOGEN enters in her Court dress, a pretty girl of about eighteen.]

IMOGEN.

Effie, dear! Well, Brooke!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

[To SIR JULIAN.] Look at her!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Quite charming!

IMOGEN.

Well, papa, have you nothing to say to me?

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

My dear, I hesitate to address such a magnificent creature.

IMOGEN.

[Bowing to SIR JULIAN.] Mamma, I think that gentleman wishes to be
presented to me. I have no objection, if you consider him a person I
ought to know.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

[Kissing IMOGEN.] Ah, Julian, our sweet child!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

[Taking IMOGEN's hand.] My dear.

IMOGEN.

[With dignity.] I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I've heard you
mentioned very kindly by my little friend, Imogen Twombley. Pray sit
down, and I'll sit on your lap. [IMOGEN sits on SIR JULIAN's knee and
puts her arm round his neck.] Oh, papa, I have been so nervous!

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

I quite sympathize. I was shockingly nervous when _I_ was presented.

IMOGE