Oh, do let us have him into the drawing-room after dinner! I hear he is
simply charming.

LADY OWBRIDGE.

Charming! [_Rising._] What are our ladies coming to! Dear, dear me! in
my day such follies and superstitions were entirely restricted to the
kitchen.

[MURIEL _joins the_ DUCHESS. QUEX _is dutifully looking into the book of
sermons. The servant returns, followed by_ SOPHY, _and then retires;_
SOPHY _comes forward, beamingly. She is prettily dressed, but in sober
colours._

SOPHY.

[_To_ LADY OWBRIDGE.] Here I am, my lady. I'm having such a good time!

LADY OWBRIDGE.

That's right.

SOPHY.

Oh, this garden! they may well call it heavenly.

LADY OWBRIDGE.

They ought not to call it that, my dear. But it is indeed full of