The Big Drum - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
MRS. QUEBEC.
[_Going to_ OTTOLINE.] Oh! [_They embrace._] This is lovely!
OTTOLINE.
[_To_ MRS. ANSLOW, _who comes to her._] Millicent----! [_To_ GREEN, _who bustles forward and kisses her hand._] How do you do?
MRS. QUEBEC.
[_To_ OTTOLINE.] You didn't stay long at the Railtons' last night, Ottoline.
OTTOLINE.
I had a headache--mother was so vexed with me----
MRS. ANSLOW.
Headache or not, you looked divine.
MRS. QUEBEC.
A vision!
GREEN.
[_To_ OTTOLINE.] Haw! I hope you saw the remarks about you in this morning's papah, deah lady.
OTTOLINE.
[_To_ GREEN.] For shame, Mr. Green! Have you been flattering me again?
GREEN.
Haw, haw, haw, haw----!
ROOPE.
[_Standing near_ PHILIP.] Madame de Chaumie----
OTTOLINE.
[_Advancing._] Yes?
ROOPE.
Here's an old friend of ours whom you haven't met for years--Mackworth.
[_She starts and then waits, rooted, for_ PHILIP's _approach. He replaces the figure carefully and comes to her, and their hands touch._ ROOPE _leaves them and engages the others in conversation._
OTTOLINE.
[_To_ PHILIP, _in a low voice, her eyes sparkling._] I had no idea I was to have this pleasure.
PHILIP.
[_Gently, but without exceeding the bounds of mere courtesy._] Robbie excels in surprises; he has been almost equally reserved with me. Are you very well?
OTTOLINE.
Very. And you?
PHILIP.
Very. And Sir Randle and Lady Filson?
OTTOLINE.
Quite well--and my brother Bertram. [_Chilled._] Perhaps you've heard that I am making my home with them now in London, permanently--that I've left Paris?
PHILIP.
Robbie--and the newspapers--have told me. It's late in the day to do it--may I offer you my sympathy?
OTTOLINE.
[_With a stately inclination of the head._] Thank you. And I my congratulations on your success?
PHILIP.
[_Quietly._] Success!
OTTOLINE.
[_Comprehending._] Ah? _Le public est si bete._ I've read every line you've written, I believe. [_He bows._] I--I have felt proud to think that we were once--that we were once--not _des inconnus_.
[_He bows again, and there is silence between them. The dining-room door opens and_ NOYES _presents himself. A waiter is seen in the dining-room, standing at the side table._
NOYES.
[_To_ ROOPE.] Lunch is served, sir.
ROOPE.
[_To everybody._] Come along! Come along, dear excellent friends!
[OTTOLINE _smiles graciously at_ PHILIP _and turns from him._] Lead the way, dear Mrs. Anslow. Madame de Chaumie! [MRS. ANSLOW _slips her arm through_ OTTOLINE.] You both sit opposite the fireplace. Dear Mrs.
Wally! Come along, my dear Phil! [_Putting an arm round_ GREEN_'s shoulder._] Colly----!
[_They all move into the dining-room, and the curtain falls. It rises again almost immediately. A chair, withdrawn from the further window, is now beside the fauteuil-stool, on its right; and the chair which was close to the small table has been pulled out into the room, and faces the fauteuil-stool at some little distance from it. The doors are closed._ MRS. ANSLOW _and_ MRS. QUEBEC _are taking their departure. The former is saying good-bye to_ OTTOLINE, _who is standing before the fireplace; the latter is talking to_ ROOPE _near the door on the left. On the right is_ PHILIP, _ready to receive his share of the adieux._
