s never once told me that I was morbid. Men are so
painfully unobservant!

LADY BASILDON. [_Turning to her_.] I have always said, dear Margaret,
that you were the most morbid person in London.

MRS. MARCHMONT. Ah! but you are always sympathetic, Olivia!

MABEL CHILTERN. Is it morbid to have a desire for food? I have a great
desire for food. Lord Goring, will you give me some supper?

LORD GORING. With pleasure, Miss Mabel. [_Moves away with her_.]

MABEL CHILTERN. How horrid you have been! You have never talked to me
the whole evening!

LORD GORING. How could I? You went away with the child-diplomatist.

MABEL CHILTERN. You might have followed us. Pursuit would have been
only polite. I don't think I like you at all this evening!

LORD GORING. I like you immensely.

MABEL CHILTERN. Well, I wish you'd show it in a more marked way! [_They
go downstairs_.]

MRS. MARCHMONT. Olivia, I have a curious feeling of absolute faintness.
I think I should like some supper very much. I know I should like some
supper.

LADY BASILDON. I am positively dying for supper, Margaret!

MRS. MARCHMONT. Men are so horribly selfish, they never think of these
things.

LADY BASILDON. Men are grossly material, grossly material!

[_The_ VICOMTE DE NANJAC _enters from the music-room with some other
guests_. _After having carefully examined all the people present_, _he
approaches_ LADY BASILDON.]

VICOMTE DE NANJAC. May I have the honour of taking you down to supper,
Comtesse?

LADY BASILDON. [_Coldly_.] I never take supper, thank you, Vicomte.
[_The_ VICOMTE _is about to retire_. LADY BASILDON, _seeing this_,
_rises at once and takes his arm_.] But I will come down with you with
pleasure.

VICOMTE DE NANJAC. I am so fond of eating! I am very English in all my
tastes.

LADY BASILDON. You look quite English, Vicomte, quite English.

[_They pass out_. MR. MONTFORD, _a perfectly groomed young dandy_,
_approaches_ MRS. MARCHMONT.]

MR. MONTFORD. Like some supper, Mrs. Marchmont?

MRS. MARCHMONT. [_Languidly_.] Thank you, Mr. Montford, I never touch
supper. [_Rises hastily and takes his arm_.] But I will sit beside you,
and watch you.

MR. MONTFORD. I don't know that I like being watched when I am eating!

MRS. MARCHMONT. Then I will watch some one else.

MR. MONTFORD. I don't know that I should like that either.

MRS. MARCHMONT. [_Severely_.] Pray, Mr. Montford, do not make these
p