Straits Settlements
Her former Business Manager, George P. Newte




ACT I



SCENE

The Lady Bantock's boudoir, Bantock Hall, Rutlandshire, a spacious
room handsomely furnished (chiefly in the style of Louis the
Fourteenth) and lighted by three high windows, facing the south-west.
A door between the fireplace and the windows leads to his lordship's
apartments. A door the other side of the fireplace is the general
entrance. The door opposite the windows leads through her ladyship's
dressing-room into her ladyship's bedroom. Over the great fireplace
hangs a full-length portrait of Constance, first Lady Bantock, by
Hoppner.

The time is sunset of a day in early spring. The youthful Lord
Bantock is expected home with his newly wedded wife this evening; and
the two Misses Wetherell, his aunts, have been busy decorating the
room with flowers, and are nearing the end of their labours. The two
Misses Wetherell have grown so much alike it would be difficult for a
stranger to tell one from the other; and to add to his confusion they
have fallen into the habit of dressing much alike in a fashion of
their own that went out long ago, while the hair of both is white,