ngled somehow, and now his people are trying to
get rid of her. I see so many of these cases. Well, I'm afraid I must
wish you good evening--it's my time for retiring. (_Patronisingly._)
I've quite enjoyed this conversation--such a pleasure in a place like
this to come across a congenial companion!

_Mrs. Ard._ (_fluttered and flattered_). I'm sure you're exceedingly
kind to say so, and I can say the same for myself. I hope we may
become better acquainted. (_To herself, after Mrs. ALLBUTT has
departed._) I've quite taken to that woman--she's so thoroughly the
lady, and moves in very high society, too. You can tell that from
the way she talks. What's that paper oil the table? (_She picks up
a journal in a coloured wrapper.) Society Snippets, the Organ of the
Upper Ten. One Penny._ The very thing I wanted. It's such a comfort
to know who's who. (_She opens it and reads sundry paragraphs headed
"Through the Keyhole."_) Now how funny this is! Here's the very same
thing about the dulness of the Season that she said. That shows she
must be really in it. And a note about Lady NEURALINE being about to
recruit at Homburg. And another about her reputation for eccentricity,
and her "sweetness to the select few privileged to be her intimates."
And here's all about Lord MANGO, and what a pleasant house Capsicums
is, and his marriage, and the Duke of DRAGNET's too. Her information
was very correct, I must say! (_A light begins to break in upon her._)
I wonder whether--but there--people of her sort wouldn't require to
read the papers for such things.

[_Here the door opens, and Mrs. ALLBUTT appears, in some
embarrassment._

_Mrs. All._ (_scrutinising the tables_). Oh, it's nothing. I thought
I'd left something of mine here; it was only a paper--I see I was
mistaken, don't trouble.

_Mrs. Ard._ (_producing Society Snippets_). I expect it will be this.
(Mrs. ALLBUTT's face _reveals her ownership_.) I took it up, not
knowing it was yours. (_Meaningly._) It has some highly interesting
information, I see.

_Mrs. All._ (_slightly demoralised_). Oh, has it? I--I've not had time
to glance at it yet. Pray don't let me deprive you of it. I dare say
there's very little in it I don't know already.

_Mrs. Ard._ So I should have thought. (_To herself, after Mrs.
ALLBUTT has retired in disorder._) Fancy that woman trying to take me
in like that, and no more in Society than I am--if so much! However,
I've found her out before going to