THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. And these actresses--if all one hears is
true -

The dying sun is throwing his last beams across the room.

DR. FREEMANTLE. Which, thank God, it isn't. [He seats himself in a
large easy-chair. The two ladies sit side by side on a settee.]
I'll tell you just exactly what you've got to expect. A lady--a few
years older than the boy himself, but still young. Exquisite figure;
dressed--perhaps a trifle too regardless of expense. Hair--maybe
just a shade TOO golden. All that can be altered. Features--
piquant, with expressive eyes, the use of which she probably
understands, and an almost permanent smile, displaying an admirably
preserved and remarkably even set of teeth. But, above all, clever.
That's our sheet-anchor. The woman's clever. She will know how to
adapt herself to her new position.

THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL [turning to her sister]. Yes, she must be
clever to have obtained the position that she has. [To the Doctor]
Vernon says that she was quite the chief attraction all this winter,
in Paris.

THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. And the French public is so critical.

DR. FREEMANTLE [drily]. Um! I was thinking rather of her cleverness
in "landing" poor Vernon. The lad's not a fool.

THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. We must do her justice. I think she was
really in love with him.