nk of the Bills.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Think of 'em! I eat them--they're on every _menu_; I drink them--they
label the champagne. My pillows are stuffed with them, for I hear their
rustle when I turn my restless head. Small as those strips of blue are,
they paper every wall of my home!

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

I should drive out, then, as much as possible.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

When I do the sky is blue!

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

[Carelessly taking up a newspaper.] At what time do we leave here?

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Sir Julian and I start at twelve.

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

See that I'm not squeezed up in the carriage. I don't play at sardines
in this gown.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Oh!

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Talking of sardines, I shall lunch here to-day, _en famille_.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Gaylustre! you fiend! I--I can't stand it.

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Don't quite see how you're going to get out of it.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

It's true I owe that brother of yours thousands.

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Well, we _have_ kept your establishment going for some time.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

But I don't owe _you_ as much as a linen button!

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Jo and I are one.

LADY TWOMBLEY.

No! I'll never believe that a man--even a money-lender--would dance a
set of devilish quadrilles on a lady when she's down, as you're doing.

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Ha, ha!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I saw your brother on that one fatal night. Common person that he is, he
must have a heart under his vulgar waistcoat.

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Be careful! Don't insult my Jo!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I compliment him! I will appeal to him to protect me from your claws,
Gaylustre!

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Oh, you will, will you?

LADY TWOMBLEY.

I will.

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Very well then--do it! Kate Twombley, go to that door and call my
brother Jo!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

What!

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Do it!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

What--do you--mean?

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Open that door and call Jo!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

No, no! [She opens the door and looks out.] You are only frightening me!

MRS. GAYLUSTRE.

Call--Mr. Lebanon!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Mr. Lebanon!

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

[Outside.] Heah!

[LADY TWOMBLEY utters a cry of horror as MR. JOSEPH LEBANON enters--a
smartly dressed, unctuous, middle-aged person, of a most pronounced
common Semitic type, with a bland manner and a contented smile.]

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON.

Lady Twombley, delighted to find myself in your elegant 'ouse. Most
_rec