irty, with a slightly foreign
air and perfect refinement of manner._ NOYES _retires.
Everybody is manifestly pleased to see_ OTTOLINE,
_except_ PHILIP _who picks up a little figure from the
writing-table and examines it critically._

ROOPE.

[_Hurrying to her and taking her hand._] Ah----!

OTTOLINE.

Robbie dear!

MRS. QUEBEC.

[_Going to_ OTTOLINE.] Oh! [_They embrace._] This is lovely!

OTTOLINE.

[_To_ MRS. ANSLOW, _who comes to her._] Millicent----! [_To_ GREEN,
_who bustles forward and kisses her hand._] How do you do?

MRS. QUEBEC.

[_To_ OTTOLINE.] You didn't stay long at the Railtons' last night,
Ottoline.

OTTOLINE.

I had a headache--mother was so vexed with me----

MRS. ANSLOW.

Headache or not, you looked divine.

MRS. QUEBEC.

A vision!

GREEN.

[_To_ OTTOLINE.] Haw! I hope you saw the remarks about you in this
morning's papah, deah lady.

OTTOLINE.

[_To_ GREEN.] For shame, Mr. Green! Have you been flattering me again?

GREEN.

Haw, haw, haw, haw----!

ROOPE.

[_Standing near_ PHILIP.] Madame de Chaumie----

OTTOLINE.

[_Advancing._] Yes?

ROOPE.

Here's an old friend of ours whom you haven't met for years--Mackworth.

[_She starts and then waits, rooted, for_ PHILIP's
_approach. He replaces the figure carefully and comes to
her, and their hands touch._ ROOPE _leaves them and
engages the others in conversation._

OTTOLINE.

[_To_ PHILIP, _in a low voice, her eyes sparkling._] I had no idea I
was to have this pleasure.

PHILIP.

[_Gently, but without exceeding the bounds of mere courtesy._] Robbie
excels in surprises; he has been almost equally reserved with me. Are
you very well?

OTTOLINE.

Very. And you?

PHILIP.

Very. And Sir Randle and Lady Filson?

OTTOLINE.

Quite well