he room where she is surrounded by
her girls._

MISS CLARIDGE.

Oh, Miss Fullgarney, how ill you look!

MISS MOON.

You do seem queer!

MISS HUDDLE.

Just as if you were sickening for something.

MISS LIMBIRD.

[_Coming between_ MISS CLARIDGE _and_ SOPHY.] Quite ghostly!

SOPHY.

I'm all right, girls; I've had a bad night, that's all. [_Giving her
umbrella to_ MISS CLARIDGE _and her bag to_ MISS MOON, _who passes it
to_ MISS HUDDLE.] Here! hi! take that beastly bag. [_To_ MISS LIMBIRD,
_who is removing her hat._] Oh, don't waggle my head, whatever you do!
[_To_ MISS MOON, _who is pulling at her jacket._] Tear the thing off.
[_Stripping off her gloves, and speaking in a whisper._] Girls, I don't
want to be disturbed for five minutes.

MISS LIMBIRD.

Very well, Miss Fullgarney.

SOPHY.

[_Glancing at_ QUEX _and_ FRAYNE, _who are now looking out of the
window, with their backs towards her._] If Miss Eden should happen to
turn up before I'm free, just mention who I'm engaged with, will you?

MISS MOON.

Yes, Miss Fullgarney.

SOPHY.

That'll do. [_With sudden fierceness._] What are you all staring at?
Haven't any of _you_ ever slept in a strange bed?

[_The girls retreat hastily, each carrying an article belonging to_
SOPHY.

QUEX.

[_Advancing a step or two._] I am exceedingly sorry to see you looking
so fatigued.

SOPHY.

[_Faintly._] Didn't close my eyes the whole night. [_She drops the_
portiere _over the entrance, and approaches_ QUEX.] Well, my lord?

QUEX.

I have ventured to call upon you, Miss Fullgarney, in the hope of
ratifying the excellent understanding with which we parted last night.

SOPHY.

[_Pointing to_ FRAYNE.] Well, but--er--

QUEX.

Oh--oh, yes--[_To_ FRAYNE, _who has turned away._] Frayne--[_To_
SOPHY.] I have taken my old and trusted friend, Sir Chichester Frayne,
into my confidence in this regrettable business.

SOPHY.

[_Dubiously._] Indeed?

QUEX.

I thought it desirable there should be a third party--

SOPHY.

P'r'aps you're right. [_Cuttingly._] One needs a third party when one
has the honour of meeting your lordship--[_Checking herself._] Excuse
me.

QUEX.

[_Pleasantly, with a slight bow of acknowledgment._] Before we go
further, I may tell you that her Grace has informed me of what passed
between you this morning.

SOPHY.

Nothing passed.

QUEX.

Precisely.

SOPHY.

The lady beamed upon me, for all the world as if she was an