[MISS MOON now withdraws, with FRAYNE at her heels.

MURIEL.

[Rising and coming to LADY OWBRIDGE.] I’m ready, dear Lady Owbridge.  Look! you can see your face in them.

[LADY OWBRIDGE rises; MURIEL displays her nails. LADY OWBRIDGE shakes her head gravely, while QUEX bends over MURIEL’S hands gallantly.

MRS. EDEN.

[To SOPHY.] My hands need trimming up desperately badly.  That maid of mine is a fool at fingers.

SOPHY.

Can’t you stay now?

MRS. EDEN.

[With an impatient movement of the head towards LADY OWBRIDGE.] Oh, lord, no. [Suddenly.] I say, I wish you’d run down to Richmond, to Fauncey Court, and do me.  Could you?

SOPHY.

[Innocently.] Oh, yes.

MRS. EDEN.

To-night, before dinner?

SOPHY.

I think I can.

MRS. EDEN.

[To LADY OWBRIDGE.] Lady Owbridge, Miss Fullgarney is coming down to Richmond this evening to manicure me.  Do, do, do let her give your nails the fashionable cut. [Going to QUEX and MURIEL.] Everybody is wearing pointed nails this Season.

LADY OWBRIDGE.

[Advancing to SOPHY.] Ah, no, no.  These practices are somewhat shocking to an old woman. [To SOPHY.] But I don’t blame you. [Laying her hand upon SOPHY’S arm, kindly.] So you’re Miss Eden’s foster-sister, eh?

SOPHY.

I’ve that honour, my lady.

LADY OWBRIDGE.

You look a little thin.  Come down to Fauncey Court to-day as soon as your duties will release you.  Spend as many hours there as you can.

SOPHY.

Oh, my lady!

LADY OWBRIDGE.

Run about the grounds—­go wherever you please; and get the air into your lungs. [With gracious formality.] Remember, I invite you.

MURIEL.

[Innocently.] How good of you, Lady Owbridge!

SOPHY.

Thank you, my lady.

[FRAYNE returns—­accompanied by MISS MOON, who carries a neat package—­and settles an account with MISS LIMBIRD at the desk.

LADY OWBRIDGE.

[To SOPHY.] You shall be well looked after.

[She shakes hands with FRAYNE.

MURIEL.

[Kissing SOPHY.] We shall meet by-and-by.

LADY OWBRIDGE.

Muriel—­young people—­

[MURIEL joins LADY OWBRIDGE; they go out together.

MRS. EDEN.

[Nodding to SOPHY.] This evening, Sophy.

SOPHY.

[In a flutter of simple pleasure.] Yes, Mrs. Eden.

MRS. EDEN.

[Shaking hands with FRAYNE.] Till dinner—­

[She goes out.

QUEX.

[To SOPHY.] Good-bye, Miss Fullgarney.