The Gay Lord Quex - LightNovelsOnl.com
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MRS. EDEN.
She complained of headache and bolted upstairs. Muriel is such an odd girl at times.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
A sweet one.
MRS. EDEN.
Perfectly adorable. Only I wish she wasn't so moody and uncertain.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
But a headache--[_sympathetically_] dear child!
MRS. EDEN.
An engaged girl ought not to have a headache--no girl ought. It's just one of those things that makes a man ponder.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
Ponder?
MRS. EDEN.
Reflect. A man loves to think a girl is like an angel--beautiful pink and white right through, with no clockwork. The moment she complains of headache, or toothache, or a chilblain on the heel, the angel game is off, and she's got to try and hold her own as a simple mortal. And as a mortal she's not in it with a man. No, it's angel or nothing with us women. I remember my Mater saying to me when I was engaged to Jack, "Sybil, now mind! enjoy the very best of health till you have been married at least ten years; and then be sure you have an excellent motive for cracking-up." [_The clock tinkles out the half-hour. She glances at the clock._] Half-past-eleven! the dead of night for this house! [_Rising._] I'll be off to my cot.
[SOPHY _carries the_ d.u.c.h.eSS'S _dress into the bedroom._
d.u.c.h.eSS.
[_Coming to_ MRS. EDEN.] _Must_ you? Good-night.
MRS. EDEN.
So nice of you to allow me this gossip.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
Delighted.
[_They kiss affectionately._
MRS. EDEN.
We go shopping together to-morrow, do we not?
d.u.c.h.eSS.
Yes, yes.
MRS. EDEN.
[_With exaggerated regret._] To-morrow! your last day here! misery! [_At the door, finding she still has "Madame Plon" in her hand._] Oh! do you happen to be on this one?
d.u.c.h.eSS.
Not that one.
MRS. EDEN.
I wonder whether you'd lend it to me?
d.u.c.h.eSS.
Gladly.
MRS. EDEN.
As you say, there is something about these French writers--
d.u.c.h.eSS.
Style.
MRS. EDEN.
That's it--style. [_Opening the door._] Ah! lights out.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
Can you see?
MRS. EDEN.
[_Going out._] There's just a glimmer--
[_She disappears._
d.u.c.h.eSS.
I'll keep the door open till you have turned the corner.
[SOPHY _comes back and stands watching the_ d.u.c.h.eSS. _The_ d.u.c.h.eSS _remains at the open door for a little, while, then kisses her hand to_ MRS. EDEN _and closes the door._
SOPHY.
Shall I brush your Grace's hair now?
