DUCHESS.

[_With a shudder._] One is sufficiently dreadful.

MRS. EDEN.

Horrid! [_Making a_ moue.] It's Jack--my husband!

DUCHESS.

[_Reprovingly._] Hush, dear Mrs. Eden! Sophy--[SOPHY _comes to the_
DUCHESS. _Languidly._] I shall read for half-an-hour before attempting
to sleep. Put me into something loose.

SOPHY.

Yes, your Grace.

[SOPHY _again retires to the bedroom._

MRS. EDEN.

[_Rising._] May I look at your literature?

[MRS. EDEN _goes to the writing-table and turns over the books she finds
there. The_ DUCHESS _glances at the clock, and eyes_ MRS. EDEN _with
impatience._

MRS. EDEN.