The Gay Lord Quex - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Other Professors have stooped to it, but I--oh, no, it is playing palmistry a little bit too low down.
SOPHY.
[_Unhappily._] Surely it's quite harmless, love--a couple of young people meeting to say good-bye.
POLLITT.
From what you've told me, I greatly doubt that it _will_ be good-bye.
SOPHY.
D--d--do you?
POLLITT.
[_Hotly._] Anyhow I resent _your_ being the go-between of this gallant captain and a girl betrothed to another man--you who are naturally such a thorough lady!
SOPHY.
Oh--oh, Valma--!
[_She drops her head upon his shoulder and whimpers._
POLLITT.
Dearest, what have I said?
SOPHY.
Valma, I've made up my mind. I intend to do exactly what you wish, in the future, in everything. I'm going to give up squatting down here manicuring gentlemen--
POLLITT.
Sophy!
SOPHY.
And shall simply sail about these rooms, overlooking my girls in the plainest of silks. And never again will I interfere in an underhand way in other people's affairs on any account whatever. [_Putting her arms round his neck._] Yes, you _shall_ find me a lady--a lady--
POLLITT.
[_Tenderly._] Ah--! [_The door-gong sounds. She raises her head and dries her eyes hurriedly._] Is that Miss Eden?
[_He crosses to the window as she goes to the entrance._ MISS LIMBIRD _appears._
MISS LIMBIRD.
[_To_ SOPHY.] Here's Miss Eden.
SOPHY.
[_With a nod._] Give me half a minute with her; then I'm at liberty.
[MISS LIMBIRD _disappears._ SOPHY _comes to_ POLLITT.] I'll send Muriel across directly.
[_He departs._ MISS LIMBIRD _returns and, holding the_ portiere _aside, admits_ MURIEL. MURIEL _is wearing a veil._ MISS LIMBIRD _withdraws._ SOPHY _meets_ MURIEL; _they kiss each other undemonstratively._
SOPHY.
[_Constrainedly._] Well, darling?
MURIEL.
[_In the same way._] Well, Sophy?
SOPHY.
You're here then?
MURIEL.
As you see.
SOPHY.
Any difficulty?
MURIEL.
[_In a hard voice._] No. The d.u.c.h.ess and Mrs. Jack were coming to town shopping, and Lady Owbridge proposed that she and I should tack ourselves on to them.
SOPHY.
How have you got rid of 'em?
MURIEL.
Spoken the truth, for once--my head really does throb terribly. They think I've run in here to sit quietly with you while they--[_Suddenly._]
Oh, be quick, Sophy!
SOPHY.
Quick, dear?
MURIEL.
Why don't you tell me?
SOPHY.
