The Gay Lord Quex - LightNovelsOnl.com
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MISS MOON.
[_Opening a window._] Look, madam. That's one of his rooms; the window there--the open one--
YOUNG LADY.
Yes, I see. Thanks. Good-morning.
MISS MOON.
Good morning.
[_The young lady pays_ MISS LIMBIRD _and goes, followed by her maid_.
MISS HUDDLE.
[_To_ MISS MOON] What time is it, dear?
MISS MOON.
[_Putting her table in order._] Half-past one. Lunch-time.
MISS HUDDLE.
Thought so; I've sech a vacancy.
[MISS HUDDLE _goes out, carrying her bowl and towel, as_ FRANK POLLITT--"VALMA"--_appears at the window on the left--a well, if rather showily, dressed young fellow, wearing a frock coat, white waistcoat, and patent-leather boots. He is handsome in a commonplace way, and, though stilted and self-conscious, earnest in speech and bearing._
POLLITT.
[_Looking in._] Excuse me--
MISS MOON.
[_Startled._] Oh! oh, Mr. Valma!
POLLITT.
[_Entering._] Is Miss Fullgarney in the way?
MISS MOON.
[_Gazing at him in modest admiration._] She's with a lady in the private room, Mr. Valma.
[_The door in the part.i.tion opens._
SOPHY.
[_From the private room._] Oh, no, madam, I promise I won't forget.
Certainly not, I take too much interest in your daughter's nails for that.
MISS MOON.
This is her.
[_A middle-aged lady enters from the private room, followed by_ SOPHY FULLGARNEY. _The customer pays at the desk while_ SOPHY _rattles on._ SOPHY _is a pretty, elegant, innocently vulgar, fascinating young woman of six-and-twenty._
SOPHY.
[_With the air of the proprietress of a prosperous establishment._] Oh, yes, it did slip my memory to come on Thursday, didn't it? The truth is I had a most racking head, a thing I never have--well, I oughtn't to say never have, ought I? [_To_ MISS LIMBIRD.] Now, Miss Limbird, see that two pots of Creme de Mimosa are posted to Mrs. Arment, Carlos Place; and book me, please--_me_--you thoroughly understand?--to attend upon Miss Arment to-morrow evening at seven. [_Accompanying the customer, who now withdraws._] To-morrow evening at seven--without fail. [_Raising her voice._] The door, Miss Claridge. Good morning, madam. Good afternoon.
[_The door-gong sounds._
SOPHY.
Come, girls, you can get to your lunches.
[MISS LIMBIRD _leaves her desk and goes out._
MISS MOON.
Here's Mr. Valma, Miss Fullgarney.
SOPHY.
[_With a little gasp._] Mr. Valma. [_Approaching him._] How do you do?
POLLITT.
[_Advancing._] Pardon me for the liberty I have taken in again crossing the leads.
SOPHY.
[_Looking away from him._] No liberty at all.
POLLITT.
I desire a few words with you, Miss Fullgarney, and it struck me that at this time of the day--
SOPHY.
Yes, there's nothing doing here just at lunch-time.
POLLITT.
Perhaps you would graciously allow me to converse with you while you--
SOPHY.
