smarten-up. Isn't it jolly? [_In an outburst._] Oh, love, you
might give-up for to-day, and take me down!

VALMA.

May I?

SOPHY.

May you! Your hat--get your hat! you'll find me outside in a cab.

[_He hurries away._

MISS LIMBIRD, _carrying a leather bag, enters, followed by_ MISS
CLARIDGE _and_ MISS HUDDLE.

SOPHY.

[_As she, with the aid of her girls, pins on her hat and scrambles into
her coat._] You know, girls, many a silly person's head would be turned
at being asked to a place like Fauncey Court--as a guest, bear in mind.
But there, the houses I've been in!--it's nothing to me. Still,
specially invited by the Countess of Owbridge herself--! [_Putting her
feet in turn upon a chair and hitching up her stockings._] I shall just
make rather a favour of manicuring Mrs. Jack. One doesn't go visiting to
cut Mrs. Jack's claws. Gloves! Thank goodness, the evenings are long!
they say it's simply heavenly at Fauncey Court--simply heaven--[_She
breaks off abruptly, staring straight before her. Under her breath._]
Oh--! Fauncey Court--Lord Quex--!

MISS CLARIDGE.

What's the matter, Miss Fullgarney.

SOPHY.

N--n--nothing.

MISS MOON.

[_Entering._] Cab, Miss Fullgarney!

SOPHY.

[_In an altered voice._] Bag. [_She takes her bag from_ MISS LIMBIRD
_and walks away, rather slowly, with her head down. Quietly, without
turning._] See you in the morning, girls.

THE FOUR GIRLS.

Good afternoon, Miss Fullgarney.

[SOPHY _goes out._

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

THE SECOND ACT

_The scene represents a portion of an English garden laid out in Italian
fashion. At the extreme back--upon ground slightly raised--two dense
cypress-hedges, about sixteen feet high, form an alley running from
right to left. In the centre of the hedge which is nearer the spectator
there is an opening, and at this opening are three or four steps
connecting the higher with the lower level. Beyond the alley nothing is
seen but the sky and some tree-tops. In advance is an enclosure formed
by a dwarf cypress-hedge, about four feet in height, also broken in the
centre by an opening, and running off right and left at a sharp angle.
On the outside of the dwarf hedge is a walk; and beyond, on the right
and left, are trees. Within the enclosure, on the left, is a small
fountain; facing the fountain, on the right, a piece of old, broken
sculpture. Other bits of antique sculpture are placed in different parts
of the garden. In the