it. [_Going quickly to the
passage-door, unlocking it, and throwing the door open._] There you are!

SOPHY.

[_Sobbing._] Oh! oh!

[_There is a hurried, irregular knocking at the door._

QUEX.

[_Gripping her arm._] Hush! [_In a whisper._] Call out--wait!

SOPHY.

[_Raising her voice--unsteadily._] Wait--one moment!

QUEX.

[_In her ear, as he gives her the key of the door._] Say the Duchess is
with Mrs. Jack; say she wants her letters brought to her in the morning;
say anything--

SOPHY.

Yes, yes. [_Weeping and shaking and gasping, she goes to the door and
unlocks it. He tip-toes into the bedroom and turns out the light there.
She opens the door an inch or two._] Yes?

TWO VOICES.

[_A mans and a woman's._] What is it? what's the matter?

SOPHY.

[_Steadying herself, with an effort._] Nothing. Only her Grace has gone
to Mrs. Eden's room and wishes her letters taken there in the morning
most particularly--see?

THE VOICES.

What did you ring like that for? Thought the place was afire!

SOPHY.

Oh, don't make a fuss about nothing. You servants _are_ an old-fashioned
lot. Bong swor!

THE VOICES.

[_Angrily._] Oh, good-night.

SOPHY.

Ha, ha, ha!

[_She closes the door and totters away from it, sobbing hysterically,
as_ QUEX _comes to her._

QUEX.

[_Kindly._] Be off. Go to bed. Serve me how you please. Miss Fullgarney,
upon my soul, I--I humbly beg your pardon.

SOPHY.

[_Passing him._] Oh! oh! oh! [_Turning to him._] Oh, God bless you!
You--you--you're a gentleman! I'll do what I can for you!

[_She staggers to the passage-door and disappears, closing the door
behind her. Then he extinguishes the remaining light, and cautiously
lets himself out at the other door._

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

THE FOURTH ACT

_The scene is the same, in every respect, as that of the First Act._

[_On the right_ MISS CLARIDGE _is manicuring a young gentleman. On the
left_ MISS MOON _is putting her manicure-table in order, as if she has
recently disposed of a customer._ MISS LIMBIRD _is again at her desk,
busy over accounts. The door-gong sounds and, after a short interval,_
QUEX _and_ FRAYNE _enter, preceded by_ MISS HUDDLE. FRAYNE _appears
particularly depressed and unwell._

QUEX.

[_Nodding to_ MISS LIMBIRD.] Good morning.

MISS LIMBIRD.

Morning.

QUEX.

[_To_ MISS HUDDLE.] Miss Fullgarney has not yet arrived, you say?

MISS HUDDLE.

Not yet.

QUEX.

[_Looking at