Lord Alderdyce, what do you think I've just heard?

LORD A. What?

MRS. IS. About Prince Hagen and Mrs. Bagley-Willis... how she came to
take him up! Percy Pennington told me about it... he's her own first
cousin, you know, Lord Alderdyce... and he vows he saw the letter in her
desk!

LORD A. Oh, tell us!

MRS. IS. Well, it was just after Prince Hagen made his appearance, when
the papers were printing pages about him. And the news came that he'd
bought these palaces; and the next day Mrs. Bagley-Willis got a letter
marked personal. Percy quoted the words... Dear Madam: I wish to enter
Society. I have no time to go through with the usual formalities. I am
a nobleman, with an extraordinary mind and unlimited money. I intend to
entertain New York Society as it has never dreamed of being entertained
before. I should be very pleased if you would co-operate with me in
making my opening ball a success. If you are prepared to do this, I am
prepared to pay you the sum of one million dollars cash as soon as I
receive your acceptance. Needless to say, of course, this proposition is
entirely confidential!

LORD. A. By jove!

MRS. IS. Think of it!

GER. But can it be true?

MRS. IS. What is more likely, my dear? You know that Mrs. Bagley-Willis
has been spending millions every season to entertain at Newport;
and their fortune will never stand that! Oh, I must give it to Van
Tribber... he'll see that the papers have it!

LORD A. But hadn't you better make sure that it's really...

MRS. IS. It doesn't make the slightest difference! Everybody will know
that it's true!

GER. They are ready to believe anything about Prince Hagen.

MRS. IS. Certainly, after a glimpse of this palace. Did you ever see
such frantic money-spending in your life?

LORD A. Never!

MRS. IS. Gold! Gold! I am positively blinded with the sight of gold. I'd
seen every kind of decoration and furniture, I thought... but solid gold
is new to me!

LORD A. Just look at this cup, for instance! [Points to coronation cup.]
And those fountains... I believe that even the basins are of gold.

MRS. IS. Perhaps we could stop the water and see.

LORD A. I must go... I have a dance. I am sorry not to see your
daughter.

MRS. IS. Yes... it was too bad she couldn't come. Good-bye. [LORD
ALDERDYCE exit.]

MRS. IS. [Pointing to throne.] Look at that thing, Gerald!

GER. Yes... no wonder the crowd came!

MRS. IS. I imagine a good many came because they didn