_] Release me, Sophy! release me! ah--!
[_She joins_ BASTLING _and they disappear. As_ SOPHY _goes to the window
and looks out after them,_ QUEX _enters, followed by_ FRAYNE.
QUEX.
[_Glancing round the room._] Miss Fullgarney--
SOPHY.
[_Turning sharply._] Hey? [_Blankly._] Oh--my lord--!
QUEX.
I am compelled to intrude upon you again. I have just met Lady Owbridge,
with her Grace and Mrs. Eden in Sackville Street. My aunt sends me with
a message to Miss Eden.
SOPHY.
[_Confused._] M--m--Miss Eden?
QUEX.
Mrs. Eden has proposed a lunch at Prince's, provided that Miss Eden
feels equal to--[_Looking about him again._] Where is Miss Eden?
SOPHY.
Where?
QUEX.
She is here--with you.
SOPHY.
N--no.
QUEX.
No?
SOPHY.
[_With a gulp._] _I_ haven't seen anything of her.
QUEX.
[_In an altered tone._] Really?
SOPHY.
No.
QUEX.
[_Calmly._] Strange.
[_He walks away and joins_ FRAYNE. SOPHY _stealthily closes and fastens
the window._
QUEX.
[_In a low voice, to_ FRAYNE.] Chick--
FRAYNE.
Eh?
QUEX.
Miss Eden _is_ here. Why is the Fullgarney telling me this falsehood?
FRAYNE.
You will remember I was positive she would sell you before she'd done
with you.
QUEX.
[_Gripping_ FRAYNE'S _arm._] Don't! [_Advancing to_ SOPHY--_politely._]
I understood from my aunt, Miss Fullgarney, that her ladyship left Miss
Eden at Gressier's, the jeweller's, less than half an hour ago.
SOPHY.
[_Fussing with the objects upon the cabinet and the manicure-table._]
Oh?
QUEX.
Miss Eden had some little commission to discharge at Gressier's, and
intended coming across to you immediately afterwards.
SOPHY.
[_Quickly._] Ah, then she hasn't finished her business at Gressier's
yet.
QUEX.
Yes, because I looked in at the shop on my way here.
SOPHY.
Funny. I can't imagine where she's taken herself to.
QUEX.
[_Earnestly._] Miss Fullgarney--
SOPHY.
My lord?
QUEX.
I thought we had become good friends, you and I--?
SOPHY.
So we have, I hope.
QUEX.
And that you were desirous of rendering me a service?
SOPHY.
Well, aren't I, my lord?
QUEX.
Are you? You _know_ that Miss Eden came to you directly she left
Gressier's. You _know_ she did.
SOPHY.
[_After a pause--drawing a deep breath._] Yes, I--I own it.
QUEX.
[_Reproachfully._] Ah, Miss Fullgarney!
SOPHY.
She _has_ been in, and I _have_ done you the service I pro
|