t is the matter, Cynthia?

[_They speak together._

MISS HENEAGE. Why, Mrs. Karslake, what is the matter?

GRACE. [_Coming quickly forward._] Mrs. Karslake!

CURTAIN.

ACT II.

SCENE. MRS. VIDA PHILLIMORE'S _boudoir. The room is furnished
to please an empty-headed, pleasure-loving and fashionable
woman. The furniture, the ornaments, what pictures there are,
all witness to taste up-to-date. Two French windows open on
to a balcony, from which the trees of Central Park can be
seen. There is a table between them; a mirror, a scent
bottle, &c., upon it. On the right, up stage, is a door; on
the right, down stage, another door. A lady's writing-table
stands between the two, nearer centre of stage. There is
another door up stage; below it, an open fireplace, filled
with potted plants, andirons, &c., not in use. Over it is a
tall mirror; on the mantel-piece are a French clock,
candelabra, vases, &c. On a line with the fireplace is a
lounge, gay with silk pillows. A florist's box, large and
long, filled with American Beauty roses, rests on a low table
near the head of the lounge. Small tables and light chairs
where needed._

BENSON, _alone in the room, is looking critically about her.
She is a neat and pretty little English lady's maid in black
silk and a thin apron. Still surveying the room, she moves
here and there, and, her eyes lighting on the box of flowers,
she goes to the door of_ VIDA'S _room and speaks to her._

BENSON. Yes, ma'am, the flowers have come.

_She holds open the door through which_ VIDA, _in a morning
gown, comes in slowly. She is smoking a cigarette in as
aesthetic a manner as she can, and is evidently turned out in
her best style for conquest._

VIDA. [_Faces the balcony as she speaks, and is, as always, even and
civil, but a bit disdainful toward her servant._] Terribly garish
light, Benson. Pull down the-- [BENSON, _obeying, partly pulls down
the shade._] Lower still--that will do. [_As she speaks she goes about
the room, giving the tables a push here and the chairs a jerk there,
and generally arranging the vases and ornaments._] Men hate a clutter
of chairs and tables. [_Stopping and taking up a hand mirror from the
table, she faces the windows._] I really think I'm too pale for this
light.

BENSON. [_Quickly, understanding what is implied._] Yes, ma'am