[_Reading._] Lady Jenkins is not feeling very well.
If Captain Horace Vale stood before me at this moment, I'd slap his face!
[_Reading._] "Dear Miss Verrinder,--Your desperate flirtation with Major Bristow at the Meet on Tuesday last, three days after our engagement, has just come to my knowledge. Your letters and gifts, including the gold-headed hair-pin given me at the Hunt Ball, shall be returned to-morrow. By Jove, all is over! Horace Vale." Oh, dear!
Oh, Charley, I'm so sorry! However, you can deny it.
[_Weeping._] That's the worst of it, I can't.
[_To AGATHA POSKET._] My darling, you will be delighted. A note from Colonel Lukyn.
An old schoolfellow of mine who went to India many years ago. He has just come home. I met him at the club last night and asked him to name an evening to dine with us. He accepts for to-morrow.
Listen. [_Reading._] "It will be especially delightful to me, as I believe I am an old friend of your wife and of her first husband. You may recall me to her recollection by reminding her that I am the Captain Lukyn who stood sponsor to her boy when he was christened at Baroda."
How _do_ nuts come into the drawing-room?
A month after he was born. They always are.
[_Reading the letter again._] This is _very_ pleasant.
[_To MR. POSKET._] Let--let me see the letter, I--I may recognise the handwriting.
[_Handing her the letter._] Certainly, my pet. [_To himself._] Awakened memories of Number One. That's the worst of marrying a widow; somebody is always proving her previous convictions.
[_To CHARLOTTE._] "No. 19a, Cork Street!" Charley, put on your things and come with me.
I'm going to shut this man's mouth before he comes into this house to-morrow.
Yes, till he stalks in here with his "How d'ye do, Posket? Haven't seen your wife since the year '66, by Gad, sir!" Not I! Æneas!
Lady Jenkins--Adelaide--is very ill; she can't put her foot to the ground with neuralgia.
[_Taking the letter from her pocket, and giving it to him._
We have known each other for six long years.
Weeks _are_ years in close friendship. My place is by her side.
[_Reading the letter._] "Slightly indisposed, caught trifling cold at the Dog Show. Where do you buy your handkerchiefs?" There's nothing about neuralgia or putting her foot to the ground here, my darling.