COMBE_] and----
LILY.
How dare you!
JEYES.
I've been at it all night.
LILY.
All night!
JEYES.
Yes; I was in the theatre while you were supping and dancing.
LILY.
_You_ were!
JEYES.
I _meant_ to be there. You did your best to stop it----
LILY.
That's a lie!
JEYES.
So that you could enjoy yourself thoroughly-- [_glancing at FARNCOMBE
again_] with----
LILY.
A lie!
JEYES.
I didn't leave till past three. You and-- [_with another motion of the
head towards FARNCOMBE_] had just had your fifth dance together, and
they were hauling you round the building.
LILY.
Where _were_ you? Who----?
JEYES.
Excuse me; that's my business. Then I went back to Jermyn Street, and
it suddenly struck me I'd like to see how your escort was composed.
LILY.
You've been watching outside?
JEYES.
Since a quarter-to-four-- under the portico at the corner.
LILY.
[_Contemptuously._] _You_----!
JEYES.
Yes, but, by God, I wasn't quite prepared for _this_!
LILY.
This!
JEYES.
[_Cramming his cap into his overcoat-pocket and coming to FARNCOMBE._]
What the hell's your game? You've got some accommodating friends, both
of you, in that blackguard Roper and that slut Jimmie Birch!
LILY.
Oh--! [_Approaching JEYES with clenched fists._] Ah, you cur----!
FARNCOMBE.
[_Holding up his hand to her appealingly._] Miss Parradell----!
LILY.
[_To JEYES._] You cur! Mother's been told that Lord Farncombe's with
me. I sent Jimmie up to tell her.
JEYES.
Where _is_ your mother?
LILY.
In bed, of course.
JEYES.
Snoring! Ha, ha, ha! Faugh, there's an ugly name, my girl, for such
mothers as yours!
LILY.
Ah--! [_Raising her fist._] Ah-h-h-h----!
FARNCOMBE.
Miss Parradell----!
LILY.
[_Restraining herself with difficulty and pacing the room._] Oh, the
cur! The cur! The cur!
FARNCOMBE.
[_To JEYES, looking at him steadily._] Captain Jeyes----
LILY.
The low cur!
FARNCOMBE.
Captain Jeyes, do you happen to know where I lodge?
JEYES.
No; I don't know where your sty is.
FARNCOMBE.
St. James's Place-- forty-seven. I shall be in at twelve o'clock.
[_Picking up his hat and overcoat._] From the tone this gentleman
adopts, Miss Parradell, I assume that he considers himself entitled to
concern himself in your affairs. [_Moving over to the left where LILY
joins him._] Perhaps it will make it easier for you if I----
LILY.
[_Clutchin
|