angel
spending a Saturday-to-Monday here below; and I dressed her hair for her
just as if I didn't want to tear it out by the roots. And then she
turned up her eyes and said she hoped every happiness would attend me,
and went downstairs to prayers.

QUEX.

Will you allow me to--to thank you?

SOPHY.

[_Frigidly._] You needn't. [_Abruptly._] Oh, by-the-by, the lady gave me
a--a keepsake, she called it. [_Endeavouring to extract some bulky
object from her pocket._] I mean to burn the thing, once I've found out
what's inside it. But I can't get it open. Here it is.

[_She exhibits the little box, covered with brocade, which_ QUEX _has
returned to the_ DUCHESS _in the previous Act._

QUEX.

[_Surprised._] By Jove!

SOPHY.

[_Simply._] Eh?

QUEX.

Er--I was wondering what she can have put in that little box.

SOPHY.

Yes, _I_ wonder. [_Pulling at the lid._] It's locked.

QUEX.

I fancy it has one of those Bramah locks which snap. I may have a key--
[_He produces his key-ring and, promptly selecting a key, unlocks the
box._] Fortunate coincidence.

[_She opens the box and takes out the first thing that presents
itself--the blue silk garter with the diamond buckle._

SOPHY.

[_Scandalised._] Oh, my gracious! I _beg_ your pardon.

[_She leaves him hurriedly and hides the box in the cabinet._

QUEX.

[_Quietly to_ FRAYNE.] Chick, she has passed the souvenirs on to Miss
Fullgarney!

FRAYNE.

[_Bitterly._] How like a woman!

QUEX.

Some women.

FRAYNE.

[_In disgust._] Pah!

QUEX.

Yesterday she was alluring.

FRAYNE.

[_Waving the past from him._] Yesterday--[_with a slight hiccup_] hic!
[_Turning away apologetically._] The heat in this room--

[_He walks away, as_ SOPHY _returns to_ QUEX.

QUEX.

[_To_ SOPHY.] Well, I must not detain you longer, Miss Fullgarney. But
there is, of course, one point upon which I should like to feel
completely assured. You have seen Miss Eden--?

SOPHY.

No; not since last evening.

QUEX.

[_Anxiously._] When do you--?

SOPHY.

[_Looking away._] I'm rather expecting her to pop in here during the
day.

QUEX.

Quite so. And--and then--?

SOPHY.

[_Facing him candidly._] Your lordship told me last night that your
little visit to the Duchess was a perfectly innocent one?

QUEX.

Absolutely innocent. [_Hesitatingly._] I fear I cannot go further than
that.

FRAYNE.

[_Fanning himself with his handkerchief._] By gad, why not, Har