departed._) I've quite taken to that woman--she's so thoroughly the
lady, and moves in very high society, too. You can tell that from
the way she talks. What's that paper oil the table? (_She picks up
a journal in a coloured wrapper.) Society Snippets, the Organ of the
Upper Ten. One Penny._ The very thing I wanted. It's such a comfort
to know who's who. (_She opens it and reads sundry paragraphs headed
"Through the Keyhole."_) Now how funny this is! Here's the very same
thing about the dulness of the Season that she said. That shows she
must be really in it. And a note about Lady NEURALINE being about to
recruit at Homburg. And another about her reputation for eccentricity,
and her "sweetness to the select few privileged to be her intimates."
And here's all about Lord MANGO, and what a pleasant house Capsicums
is, and his marriage, and the Duke of DRAGNET's too. Her information
was very correct, I must say! (_A light begins to break in upon her._)
I wonder whether--but there--people of her sort wouldn't require to
read the papers for such things.

[_Here the door opens, and Mrs. ALLBUTT appears, in some
embarrassment._

_Mrs. All._ (_scrutinising the tables_). Oh, it's nothing. I thought
I'd left something of mine here; it was only a paper--I see I was
mistaken, don't trouble.

_Mrs. Ard._ (_producing Society Snippets_). I expect it will be this.
(Mrs. ALLBUTT's face _reveals her ownership_.) I took it up, not
knowing it was yours. (_Meaningly._) It has some highly interesting
information, I see.

_Mrs. All._ (_slightly demoralised_). Oh, has it? I--I've not had time