Chapter 6

_A prettily designed "fitment" runs along the left-hand wall and the further wall, taking in the fireplace and doors as part of its scheme. On either side of the fireplace there is a cupboard with drawers beneath it; between the door on the left and the door in the centre is a similar cupboard; and on the right of the centre door, extending to the right-hand wall, there is a wardrobe with sliding doors. The cupboard doors are glazed and curtained in pink silk._

_In the middle of the room, a little to the right, there is a large and comfortable settee, and on the left of the settee is a table littered with books, magazines, a scent-atomizer, a small silver-framed mirror, a case of manicure instruments, a box of cigarettes and a match-stand, and other odds and ends. Behind the table there is a fauteuil-stool, and on the right of the table a cosy arm-chair. A second arm-chair stands apart, between the table in the centre and the fireplace._

_On the extreme left of the room, on the nearer side of the fireplace, there is a box-ottoman; on the other side of the room, by the nearer window, are a small writing-table and chair; standing across the right-hand corner, the key-board towards the further window, are a cottage-piano and a music-stool; and at the back of the piano there is another small chair, with some soiled gloves upon it._

_A quantity of music is heaped untidily on the top of the piano; one of the wardrobe doors is open, revealing some dresses hanging within; and the edge of a lace petticoat, with its insertion of coloured ribbon, peeps out from under the carelessly-closed lid of the box-ottoman. Two milliner's hat-boxes are on the floor by the ottoman, and a pair of satin slippers are lying, one here, one there, under the centre table._

_The window-blinds are down but the daylight is seen through them._

[_The door on the left opens and LILY, still carrying her bouquet, enters and makes straight for the windows and draws up the blinds, letting in the clear, morning light. She is followed by ENID, GABRIELLE, DAPHNE, and JIMMIE and they by FARNCOMBE, VON RETTENMAYER, DE CASTRO, ROPER, FULKERSON, and BLAND. They are all pale and haggard, and slightly dishevelled, but everybody seems broad awake except DAPHNE, who is borne down by sleepiness. Some of the men are smoking._

LILY.

[_Laying her bouquet upon the table in the centre as she crosses to the windows-- to the women._] Come in, dears; [_drawing up the blind of the nearer window_] come in, boys. Take off your things for a minute.

FULKERSON.

[_Whose inebriety has reached the argumentative stage._] Working classhes! Don' talk t' me 'bout th' working classhes!

JIMMIE.

H'sh! Shut up, Bertie.

FULKERSON.

I'm s'h'ick o' th' ve'y mention o' th' name-- working classhes!

JIMMIE.

Sit on his head, somebody. We shall wake Ma and the servants.

LILY.

[_Taking off her wrap and hanging it up in the wardrobe._] Don't worry; you won't wake _my_ servants. And mother's bound to hear us; she sleeps so lightly when I'm out.

DAPHNE.

[_Gaping violently._] Oh-h-h-h!

JIMMIE.

[_Clapping her hand over DAPHNE'S mouth._] Manners!

FULKERSON.

[_Depositing his overcoat and hat upon the fauteuil-stool._] One 'ud 'magine th' working-man'sh th' on'y pershon who ever does day'sh work! Ridiculush!

VON RETTENMAYER AND BLAND.

Ha, ha, ha, ha!

DE CASTRO.

Thome truth in what Bertie'th thayin', though. For inthtanthe----

FULKERSON.

[_With great disgust._] Br'ish working-man!

ROPER.

By Jove, yes! When I think o' the work Mr. Lionel Hesketh Roper manages to dispose of in the course of a day----!

[_VON RETTENMAYER and DE CASTRO have placed their overcoats and hats upon the chair at the back of the piano and FARNCOMBE, BLAND, and ROPER have piled theirs on the arm-chair on the left. ENID and GABRIELLE throw their wraps upon the settee, DAPHNE drops hers upon the box-ottoman, and JIMMIE puts hers over the arm of the chair by the centre table._

LILY.

[_To everybody._] I'll just run upstairs and tell mother that all's serene. [_She goes to the door on the left; FARNCOMBE, BLAND, and ROPER get in each other's way in their desire to open it for her._] If any of you want a drink, you must hunt for it yourselves in the dining-room. [_To ROPER._] You play host, Uncle Lal.

[_She disappears, turning to the left and ascending the stairs._

ROPER.

[_Briskly._] Now, then, give your orders, gents! [_Coming forward._] Ladies, don't all speak at once.

FULKERSON.

[_Making for the door._] I'll have sma' whiskeyan' soda.

[_He goes along the landing and down the stairs._

BLAND.

[_Following him._] No, no! Bertie! Bertie----!

JIMMIE.

[_Seated in the arm-chair by the centre table-- to ROPER._] Stop it. We'll have trouble enough to get that boy home as it is.

[_ROPER hurries out after BLAND and FULKERSON. VON RETTENMAYER and DE CASTRO also move to the door._

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_To ENID, who is sitting with GABRIELLE on the settee._] Enid----?

ENID.

A glass of soda-water.

GABRIELLE.

Same for me, Von.

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_To JIMMIE._] Jimmie----?

JIMMIE.

No, thanks.

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_Looking down upon DAPHNE, who has curled herself up on the box-ottoman and is already asleep-- sentimentally._] Baby-- baby----

DAPHNE.

[_Half sighing, half moaning._] Ah-h-h-h!

JIMMIE.

[_To VON RETTENMAYER._] Don't disturb her. Let her have her snooze in peace.

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_Still contemplating DAPHNE._] Shall I bring you your boddle, you preddy liddle baby?

ENID.

[_Annoyed._] Don't be an idiot, Karl. [_To DE CASTRO, who is talking to FARNCOMBE._] Sam, will _you_ fetch me some soda-water?

VON RETTENMAYER. [_To ENID, bestirring himself._] I beg bardon.

[_He goes out, with DE CASTRO. ENID has taken the mirror from the table and now looks at herself in it._

ENID.

What a sight! [_To GABRIELLE._] I wonder whether Lil would mind me going into her bedroom?

GABRIELLE.

[_Taking the mirror from ENID._] Of course she wouldn't. [_Viewing herself with dismay._] Oh, I'm yellower than you!

[_She jumps up, throwing the mirror upon the settee, and goes to the door in the centre. ENID follows her and the two girls open the door narrowly and withdraw. JIMMIE rises and picks up the mirror._

JIMMIE.

[_With one knee upon the settee, surveying herself._] Ugh, you lovely creature! [_Glancing at FARNCOMBE as she readjusts a comb, and finding that he is gazing at her earnestly._] Turn your face to the wall, please; I'm about to use my puff.

[_Suddenly, with rapid movements, he shuts the door on the left, gives a quick look at DAPHNE, assures himself that the centre door is closed, and comes to JIMMIE. She stares at him in astonishment._

FARNCOMBE.

[_Standing at the back of the settee-- in a low voice._] Miss Birch, you're Miss Parradell's friend-- her great friend. Will you be a friend of mine too, and do me a service?

JIMMIE.

[_Startled._] It-- it all depends----

FARNCOMBE.

Beg her to allow me to remain behind, with you, for a few minutes after the others have gone.

JIMMIE.

Remain-- you and I?

FARNCOMBE.

And then, if she will, will you wait in the next room while I speak to her? Miss Birch, I-- I must speak to her.

JIMMIE.

W-w-wouldn't-- to-morrow----?

FARNCOMBE.

It _is_ to-morrow _now_. It's day.

JIMMIE.

[_Dropping her eyes._] She's tired.

FARNCOMBE.

Five minutes-- no longer. [_Entreatingly._] Won't you try to arrange it for me?

JIMMIE.

[_Pursing her lips._] H'm! _I'd_ stay; delighted. [_Demurely._] It doesn't matter how tired _I_ feel.

FARNCOMBE.

[_Contritely._] I'm a brute!

JIMMIE.

But I really think the _arranging_ is your job, Lord Farncombe.

FARNCOMBE.

I know I should make a bungle of it with all these people round me, and attract attention. _You're_ clever.

JIMMIE.

[_Raising her eyes to his, abruptly._] Look here! Do I guess correctly?

FARNCOMBE.

What----?

[_She pulls him towards her and whispers into his ear. He nods. She whispers again, breathlessly, and then releases him._

JIMMIE.

Eh? Eh?

FARNCOMBE.

[_Drawing back and facing her, firmly._] Yes.

JIMMIE.

[_Walking away, in a flutter._] Oh! Oh! Oh!

FARNCOMBE.

You'll help me? [_She pauses, deliberating._] You'll help me?

JIMMIE.

[_Returning to him, with an air of prudence._] I tell you what I _will_ do. [_Pointing to the writing-table._] Scribble her a note-- a line-- and I'll give it to her. That won't attract attention. I've no objection to do _that_ for you. Hurry up! [_He sits at the writing-table and searches for writing materials._] In the drawer. [_He opens a drawer and takes out a sheet of note-paper. Standing at the other side of the table, she selects a pen and hands it to him._] A "J" suit you?

FARNCOMBE.

[_Taking the pen from her._] What shall I say?

JIMMIE.

Ho, ho! Well, I _never_! [_He writes._] Oh, but it isn't exactly a love-letter, is it? Simply say-- what was the expression you used just now?-- "will you allow me to remain behind for a few minutes with Miss Birch after the others have gone?"

FARNCOMBE.

[_Writing._] Thank you.

JIMMIE.

[_With a little wriggle._] Call me Jimmie if you like.

FARNCOMBE.

Thank you.

JIMMIE.

[_Knitting her brow thoughtfully._] I suppose you ought to give her an inkling, though-- the merest hint-- of the _reason_, oughtn't you?

FARNCOMBE.

[_Looking up._] Ought I?

JIMMIE.

Well, you don't want her to think it's only to chat about the weather----!

FARNCOMBE.

For heaven's sake, don't chaff me! [_writing_] "--after the others have gone?" [_Biting his pen._] How would this do? "I know I am presuming a lot, but I-- I can't leave you-- I can't leave you till I-- till I have asked you-- till I have asked you the most important question a man can put to a woman."

JIMMIE.

Oh, but that's ideal! [_GABRIELLE reappears._] Dash these girls! [_To GABRIELLE, whose complexion is much improved._] Lord Farncombe is writing me out a remedy for freckles. Isn't it sweet of him?

GABRIELLE.

[_Mournfully._] Freckles! If you want to see a martyr to freckles, knock at _my_ door.

[_ENID returns, with lips that are a little too red, as VON RETTENMAYER and DE CASTRO re-enter at the door on the left. They leave the door open. VON RETTENMAYER is carrying a syphon of soda-water and DE CASTRO two tumblers. The men put the syphon and tumblers on the centre table and VON RETTENMAYER fills the glasses and he and DE CASTRO hand them to ENID and GABRIELLE._

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_To ENID and GABRIELLE._] I hobe we haf nod kepd you waiding.

DE CASTRO.

Bertie'th been makin' himthelf a reg'lar nuithanthe downthairth.

ENID.

Poor Bertie! Pity he has this little failing.

GABRIELLE.

[_With mild enthusiasm._] Yes, there's not a nicer boy in London than Bertie, bar that.

DE CASTRO.

Flieth to hith head tho!

[_The four continue talking. JIMMIE has gone back to FARNCOMBE, who is still writing, and is watching him impatiently._

JIMMIE.

[_To FARNCOMBE, under her breath._] Do be quick!

[_Hastily he blots his note and folds it. BLAND, FULKERSON, and ROPER appear on the landing, issuing from the staircase, and there they are joined by LILY, who comes down the stairs._

FULKERSON.

[_On the landing, to LILY, indignantly._] Lirry-- Misspa'dell----

JIMMIE.

[_To FARNCOMBE._] Here she is!

ROPER.

[_To FULKERSON._] Now, then; have it out with Lily!

LILY.

What's wrong?

[_FARNCOMBE rises and slips his note into JIMMIE'S hand._

FULKERSON.

[_To LILY._] Mosht unjusht'fiable treatmen' 'n th' part 'f these gen'lemen!

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_Listening, with the others at the centre table, to what is going on upon the landing._] Ha, ha, ha, ha!

JIMMIE.

[_To FARNCOMBE, over her shoulder._] Good luck!

BLAND.

[_To LILY._] The youth is irate with us for cutting off supplies.

[_LILY enters with FULKERSON; ROPER and BLAND following. BLAND strolls over to the piano, laughing._

FULKERSON.

[_To LILY._] M' argumen' is this. When a gen'leman'sh invited b' th' lady 'f th' house t' partake 'f refreshmen'----

LILY.

[_To FULKERSON._] Be quiet, Bertie, or I'll box your ears. [_Joining the group at the centre table._] Ho, ho! I've had such a wigging for asking you up. Mother says we girls'll look as ugly as sin on the stage to-night.

ENID.

So we shall-- hags.

LILY.

[_Sitting in the arm-chair by the centre table._] I feel as fresh as paint. [_To GABRIELLE._] Give me a sip.

[_DE CASTRO hands GABRIELLE'S glass to LILY._

FULKERSON.

[_Gazing at DAPHNE stupidly and singing to himself._] "Oh, the gals! Oh, the gals! I am awfully fond of the gals!----"

VON RETTENMAYER, ROPER, DE CASTRO, ENID AND GABRIELLE.

[_Chiming in with FULKERSON lightly._] "Be they ebon or blond, Of the gals I am fond;----"! Ha, ha, ha, ha!

BLAND.

H'sh, h'sh! Ma's quite right. [_Seating himself at the piano._] One more turn and then let's clear out.

LILY.

[_Jumping up._] Hurrah! [_To ROPER, as BLAND runs his hands over the key-board._] Shut the door, Uncle Lal.

VON RETTENMAYER.

Aha! One more durn! [_To ENID._] Enid----!

FULKERSON.

[_Singing._] "I am dreadfully fond of the gals!"

ROPER.

[_Closing the door._] Choose your partners, gents! [_Very softly BLAND plays the melody of a languorous song and instantly VON RETTENMAYER and ENID and DE CASTRO and GABRIELLE dance to it-- VON RETTENMAYER and ENID at the back, DE CASTRO and GABRIELLE near the piano._] Jimmie----!

[_JIMMIE passes LILY to go to ROPER. As she does so, she presses FARNCOMBE'S note into LILY'S palm._

JIMMIE.

[_To LILY, in a whisper._] Rat-tat, says the postman! [_Catching hold of ROPER and swinging him round._] La, ra, ral, la----!

LILY.

[_To FARNCOMBE, who is standing by the writing-table._] Lord Farncombe----?

[_FARNCOMBE goes to her and they dance together._

FULKERSON.

[_To DAPHNE, tapping her on the shoulder._] Missdure, may I have th' grea' pleasure----? [_Shaking her._] Missdure-- Missdure----

DAPHNE.

[_Starting up._] Oh! [_Looking round wildly._] Oh----!

FULKERSON.

[_Dancing with her._] Pray 'xcuse th' absence 'f gloves.

DAPHNE.

[_Faintly._] Oh! Oh, I-- I thought I'd gone to bed!

[_With their hands on each other's shoulders, the couples, swaying from side to side, half sing, half murmur, the refrain of the song._

If you would only, only love me; If you would merely, merely say, Wait but a little, little for me, I will be yours, be yours some day!

[_The refrain is repeated, the dancers droning to it with a, buzzing sound, and then BLAND returns to the melody._

LILY.

[_As she dances, recollecting the note she is holding and opening it._] What's this? [_Reading the note, her arm resting upon FARNCOMBE'S shoulder._] "Dear Miss Parradell.... [_glancing at the signature_] Farncombe"! [_To FARNCOMBE._] From you!

FARNCOMBE.

Yes.

LILY.

[_Reading._] "Will you allow me to----?"

[_She reads to the end silently, and then she stops dancing and they stand for a moment looking confusedly at each other. Then, with an expressionless face, she slips the note into her dress and they dance again, singing the refrain as before._

BLAND.

[_At the finish, shutting down the lid of the piano and rising._] Ladies and gentlemen, the festivities connected with Miss Parradell's birthday are over. [_Leaving the piano._] Our lives will now resume their normal, serious course.

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_Regretfully._] Ah-h-h-h!

[_The ladies put on their wraps, the men their overcoats, and there is a great deal of stir and chatter. DE CASTRO assists GABRIELLE; VON RETTENMAYER, ENID; FULKERSON, DAPHNE; and FARNCOMBE, JIMMIE. LILY joins in the talk and bustle with forced animation. JIMMIE and FARNCOMBE glance at her, and then, inquiringly, at one another._

ROPER.

[_Putting on his overcoat with BLAND'S help._] Well, nobody can say the affair hasn't been a brilliant success; that's one comfort.

GABRIELLE.

Wouldn't be true if they did. [_To DE CASTRO, irritably._] You've got it inside-out.

LILY.

[_To ENID and GABRIELLE, kneeling upon the settee._] Ah, yes, haven't we had a splendid, splendid time!

ENID.

Splendid!

VON RETTENMAYER.

A gharming pardy!

DE CASTRO.

Abtholutely A 1!

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_Singing._] "Venus, seinen Nacken beut Dir Dein Sklave, dienstbereit!"

LILY.

[_Running to ROPER and seizing his hands._] A vote of thanks to Lal for his share in getting it up!

BLAND.

[_Slapping ROPER on the back._] Bravo, Lal!

SOME OF THE OTHERS.

Bravo, Lal!

LILY.

[_Walking about._] And to Carlton! Bravo, Carlton!

SOME OF THE OTHERS.

Bravo, Carlton! Bravo, Smythe!

DE CASTRO.

[_Putting on his overcoat._] Don't forget Morrie Coolin'!

LILY.

No, don't forget Morrie. Dear old Morrie!

SOME OF THE OTHERS.

Bravo, Morrie!

DE CASTRO.

There hathn't been a hitch from thtart to finish, in fact.

LILY.

[_At the nearer side of the table again._] Not a hitch.

FULKERSON.

[_Remembering his grievance._] I beg yo' par'n-- no' a 'itch! [_In difficulties with his overcoat._] When a gen'leman'sh invited b' th' lady 'f th' house t' partake 'f some refreshmen'----

SOME OF THE OTHERS.

Ha, ha, ha, ha!

GABRIELLE.

[_Coming to LILY and kissing her._] So long, dear.

[_ENID, DAPHNE, and JIMMIE also come to LILY, who embraces them demonstratively, and the men follow._

LILY.

[_To the girls._] Ta-ta; ta-ta; ta-ta! I won't come down.

ENID.

No, no; we'll let ourselves out. [_Leaving LILY._] Till to-night!

LILY.

Till to-night! [_Shaking hands with the men._] Ta-ta; ta-ta; ta-ta!

THE MEN.

Ta-ta! Ta-ta! Ta-ta!

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_Kissing her hand slyly._] Goddess!

LILY.

[_To BLAND, in a whisper._] Take care of Bertie. [_Everybody moves to the door, except LILY who remains standing in the middle of the room. Some are on the landing, some in the doorway, when she calls to ROPER and JIMMIE._] Uncle Lal! Jimmie! I want to speak to you two for a second. [_ROPER and JIMMIE detach themselves from the rest and return._] Oh-- and Lord Farncombe! [_FARNCOMBE also returns and LILY, passing him, goes on to the landing and mixes with the others._] Be off; Lord Farncombe and Lal will look after Jimmie. Vincent, _you_ close the front-door. No noise! Au revoir, mes enfants! [_She watches them descend the stairs and, her manner softening, comes back into the room._] Lord Farncombe wants to have a quiet talk with me, Uncle Lal-- about-- about something, and he's asked me to let him remain behind with Jimmie for a few minutes. [_To JIMMIE._] But there's no necessity for you to wait, dear.

JIMMIE.

Don't consider me.

LILY.

But I do. Go upstairs and tell mother that Lord Farncombe's with me. Say I promise he shan't stay long. [_To ROPER._] You'll take Jimmie home, won't you, Lal?

ROPER.

[_His eyes bolting._] W-w-with pleasure.

LILY.

[_To JIMMIE._] I shall see you again later in the day, perhaps?

JIMMIE.

Rather! [_Throwing her arms round LILY'S neck and pressing her cheek to LILY'S._] Rather! [_To ROPER, significantly._] Sit in the hall till I'm ready.

[_She runs out on to the landing, pausing at the door to bestow a parting nod and a smile upon FARNCOMBE, and ascends the stairs._

ROPER.

[_In a state of great excitement and exhilaration-- to LILY._] Yes, yes, I won't keep you and-- [_winking at her and jerking his head in FARNCOMBE'S direction_] from your _tête-à-tête_. [_Patting her face gleefully._] Ha, ha, ha, ha! [_Taking her hand, his own quivering._] Lil, Uncle Lal you call me, but I've always felt more like a parent towards you-- acted as such, hey?

LILY.

Y-y-yes, Lal.

ROPER.

And any happiness that befalls you-- any happiness that befalls you-- [_choking_] I'll leave it there. God bless yer; God bless yer! [_bustling over to FARNCOMBE who, his hat in his hand, his overcoat on his arm, is standing near the piano_] and God bless _you_, my lad! [_incoherently_] I'm proud-- proud to have the honour-- and to have been the means of-- the means of-- [_wringing FARNCOMBE'S hand_] God bless you both! [_He goes to the door and there finds LILY._] I-- I-- I-- I'll drop in by-and-by and-- and-- and inquire after you, my pet.

LILY.

[_Faintly._] All right, Lal.

ROPER.

[_Patting her face again._] Ha, ha, ha, ha! [_With a hop._] Wurrr-roo! Stand away from the lift; no more passengers this journey!

[_He waves to FARNCOMBE gaily and departs, closing the door. There is a short silence and then FARNCOMBE places his hat and overcoat upon the chair by the piano and turns to LILY._

FARNCOMBE.

[_In a low voice._] It's awfully kind and gracious of you to have granted my request, and frightfully selfish of me to have made it. I deserve to be kicked.

LILY.

[_Slowly advancing to the table in the centre-- avoiding his gaze._] Is-- is Jimmie aware of precisely what's in your note?

FARNCOMBE.

Y-y-yes. [_Drawing nearer to her._] I hope you won't be angry with me for confiding in her. You see, I-- I----

LILY.

[_At the further side of the table, fingering one of the objects upon it._] And _she'll_ confide in Uncle Lal. [_Shrugging her shoulders._] Oh, but dear old Lal appears to have summed up the situation pretty accurately as it is. [_With an artificial little laugh._] Ha, ha, ha! Well, I'm afraid they'll be horribly disappointed, poor wretches.

FARNCOMBE.

[_Blankly._] Disap-pointed?

LILY.

[_Raising her eyes to his and shaking her head at him._] You-- you silly boy!

FARNCOMBE.

[_Coming to her quickly._] Ah, please-- please don't take that tone with me. I'm no boy. And I'm simply mad about you. If you don't marry me, I-- I-- I'm done for.

LILY.

H'sh! Nonsense; not you!

FARNCOMBE.

It's true. Life'll be over for me from that moment, if you refuse to marry me.

LILY.

[_Mockingly._] Over!

FARNCOMBE.

Oh, love is all on my side at present, naturally; but, as God hears me, it'll be no fault of mine if you don't grow to love me in time.

LILY.

Listen----!

FARNCOMBE.

I'll worship you-- worship you. I _do_ worship you!

LILY.

H'sh! Lord Farncombe----

FARNCOMBE.

_Eddie!_ Won't you?

LILY.

Certainly not.

FARNCOMBE.

Do! Eddie! Eddie!

LILY.

Eddie, then----

FARNCOMBE.

Ah----!

LILY.

Sit down a minute. [_She goes to the settee and sits there, somewhat ruffled, and he moves to the arm-chair by the centre table and also sits, his elbows on his knees, bending towards her. She pushes her hair back from her brow impatiently, as if vexed with herself._] Lord Farncombe-- Eddie-- for how long have you known me?

FARNCOMBE.

What does it matter? I-- I admit----

LILY.

Reckoning our acquaintance from last week-- from the afternoon Bertie brought you here, when we scarcely spoke to one another-- you haven't known me for as many days as you can count on your fingers.

FARNCOMBE.

I've watched you-- watched you in the theatre----

LILY.

On the stage! Ho, ho! Oh, you-- but I mustn't call you silly boy again, must I! And what do you know _of_ me, apart from the glimpse you've had of me off the stage, and my being a shining light at the Pandora? What do you know of my-- what's the word?-- origin-- where and what I've sprung from; how I was reared; how much education I've received; how much I've contrived to pick up of the way to behave in _per_lite society? You can judge from poor mother, if from nothing else, that I come from humble beginnings. Yes, but _how_ humble you couldn't _dream_, [_making a grimace_] not after a supper of raw carrots!

FARNCOMBE.

Do you think I _care_ how humble your beginnings were! What I do know-- what I _am_ sure about-- is that you're good-- and beautiful-- and-- and-- and gifted-- and-- and-- [_leaning his head on his hands_] oh, I can't describe you; you're-- you're-- to me, you're _perfect_.

LILY.

[_After a pause, looking at him with blinking eyelids._] You-- you _dear_! [_He raises his head. She changes her tone instantly._] _Merci_; yes, perfect, _pour le moment_. Hear my French! [_Taking the box of cigarettes from the table._] Have a cigarette? Don't get up. [_She tosses him a cigarette and he catches it._] My name's printed on them-- "Lily." [_Lighting a cigarette._] Isn't it _chic_!